Sergiy Prokopov: phenomenon of the creative personality
Authors: N. Mikhailova 
Published: June 2019

Formulation of the problem. The modern choral art as never requires a theoretical understanding of the artistic experience accumulated over the years of its existence and enriched with the latest advances in this field. The bloom of the high professional choral performance in Ukraine shows, first of all, the active development of choral culture in practical terms, but unfortunately, in many theoretical aspects of the choral art there are significant gaps. Since in Ukraine a galaxy of dedicated experts in the field of the choral work function fruitfully, among whom the territory of the Slobozhanshchina region can boast the well-known name of Prokopov Sergiy Mykolayevych – the Honoured Art Worker of Ukraine, Professor, Head of the Choral Conducting Department of Kharkiv National University of Arts named after I. P. Kotlyarevsky, the coverage of the concept of the creative universalism of the famous Ukrainian conductor-choirmaster seems to be of a high relevance. The purpose of the article is to study a wide range of artistic activities of S. Prokopov in the aspect of identifying various vectors of creativity of this talented artist: his performances, scientific works and pedagogical guides, musical and public activities. Analysis of the recent research and publications. The study of each of the directions of the creative activities of the artist is not possible in isolation from the consideration of the main trends in the modern choral art. Ukrainian musicology is on the way of rethinking the classical methodological recommendations and finding new theoretical and practical approaches to the study of many aspects of the choral activity. The recent publications by such scholars as L. Parkhomenko, A. Lashchenko, L. Kiyanovska, A. Martyniuk, L. Yarosevich, O. Batovska, Y. Voskoboinikova and many others confirm the relevance of issues related to the genesis and the further development of the choral art. Research methods. The system analysis of the universe of the creative personality of the artist is the methodological basis of the study. Presenting the main material. Sergiy Prokopov is a well-known conductor-choirmaster, prominent teacher and musical-public figure in Ukraine and abroad. After many years of study, under the influence of the outstanding masters of the conducting-choral art A. A. Miroshnikova, E. P. Kudryavtseva, V. O. Chernushenko and A. V. Mikhailov the main methodological principles of teaching professional disciplines finally formed, and they found their embodiment in the further professional pedagogical activity of S. M. Prokopov. The research of the performing-pedagogical vector of the master’s work made it possible to analyse one of the most important spheres of activity of S. M. Prokopov – the work with children’s choir collectives. We should note that the sound of the choir called “The Spring Voices” is distinguished by the high quality of ensemble work, the most charming features of the children’s voice – ease, charm, and flying. The repertoire of the choir is extremely wide and diverse from the Renaissance to contemporary domestic and foreign compositions, different in genres and subjects, which is quite difficult for the amateur team. That is why the professional recognition of the children’s choir under the guidance of S. M. Prokopov is confirmed by many honorary awards of national and international competitions and choral festivals. Following the traditions of Kharkiv choral school, Prokopov S. M., while heading the choir of the students of the Choral Conducting Department of KhNUA named after I. P. Kotlyarevsky, greatly changed not only the repertoire policy of the choir, but also revised the correlation of teaching-educational and concert-performing tasks. The choral class is not only a solid base platform for the professional education of future choirmasters-specialists. The choir of students, under the guidance of S. M. Prokopov, is a full-fledged performing collective, whose power makes it possible to perform compositions of great forms. Working on the sound of the choir, at the stage of a warm-up, he relies on the artistic principles of the sound production, which represent a peculiar emotional and psychological setting for the further professional communication between the choirmaster and the singers. Such accentuation of attention on the complex of psychological tasks during the performance of vocal-choral exercises helps to combine and correlate the emotional and psychological state and technical capabilities of the singers with subsequent performing intentions. The key to the work of the master is a special relation to the interaction of the language and musical intonation. Expressiveness as a conscious singing is impossible without the right intonation, a clear pronunciation, an emotional exaltation in the process of performing a choral composition. The pedagogical activity of S. M. Prokopov continues in the class on conducting and relies on both the methodical foundations, theoretical positions, the generalizations of outstanding teachers, choirmasters, symphony conductors and many years of the own experience of the teacher, the conductor, and the conductor-choirmaster. Actually, his pedagogical style is characterized by a high level of culture, sophisticated taste, and deep knowledge of the specialty and in the related fields of both the humanities and social sciences. The sphere of interests of scientific activity of S. М. Prokopov covers various areas of the choral art. The scientific and methodical works by S. M. Prokopov outlines a range of issues related to the problems of the choral performance, the choral pedagogy and the educational process of formation of conductors-choirmasters at different stages of development. Professor S. M. Prokopov’s active and responsible life position prompts him for the public-education activities. Holding the post of the Head of the Kharkiv branch of the Association called “The Choir Society named after M. Leontovych”, on his initiative the significant competitions and festivals of the choral art take place, and they are known not only within Ukraine but also abroad. Sergiy Mykolayevych presents reports on the relevant issues of the choral art at international and all-Ukrainian conferences, conducts numerous master classes, lectures and concerts. Conclusions and the perspectives of the further research. Sergiy Prokopov is an example of a universal musician. To highlight one, the main of the directions of his activities is impossible. The teacher, choral conductor, scientist, talented organizer and musical-public figure, his work is a vivid example of creative and personal enthusiasm. The prospect of the further development of the topic is related to the in-depth study of the various spectra of S. M. Prokopov’s creative activities, his personal contribution to the development of Ukrainian culture.