Іn 2024, through the merger of the educational programs 6B02102 Vocal Art, 6B02129 Instrumental Performance, and 6B02125 Traditional Musical Art, a unified structural unit of educational programs for training specialists in the field of performing arts was established within the Faculty of Culture and Arts of M. Utemisov West Kazakhstan University.
The unit brings together an experienced teaching staff with significant performance and research potential. The Head of the educational programs for training specialists in performing arts is Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Senior Lecturer O.A. Babenko.
The main goal of the higher education system today is not only high-quality preparation of the younger generation for independent life and professional activity, but also the creation of optimal conditions for revealing and realizing the abilities and needs of each individual, orientation toward humanistic values in solving specific problems, development of abilities, and presentation of personal achievements.
The active work of faculty members and students at various levels, its extensive functionality, and a fairly high degree of academic and creative recognition serve as clear evidence of this.
Scientific and pedagogical activities are carried out by highly qualified teachers holding academic degrees and titles, winners and diploma holders of various competitions and festivals, Honored Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, associate professors, including: Zh.A. Rakhimova, K.K. Kuzhakov, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor M.E. Erzhanov, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences O.A. Babenko, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences O.V. Vorfolomeeva, Candidate of Art Studies A.T. Yergalieva, member of the Union of Composers M.M. Popov, senior lecturers L.Zh. Kazhenova, S.Zh. Tabildieva, G.B. Alimbayeva, V.G. Lyagavina, N.S. Sanbayeva, Masters R.Zh. Kuanshalieva, M.S. Yegina, A.A. Mukhambetzhanova, and others.
Faculty members annually participate in national and international conferences, as well as in public and creative events of the university, city, and region, continuously improving their performance and pedagogical skills. Research activities are actively conducted, concert-lecture programs are organized, and scholarly publications are issued.
One of the most important areas of the structural unit’s activity is cultural and aesthetic education and the development of students’ creative potential. Faculty members and students regularly participate in various international and national competitions.
Students of the Instrumental Performance program became laureates of different degrees at the International Competition “Friends in Kaliningrad”: first-year students Alisa Zateeva and Kristina Alimbetova were awarded 3rd degree diplomas. At the International Competition “Flying from Shadow to Light,” third-year students Dilnaz Tursangalieva and Yuliya Kayupova won 3rd degree diplomas, while Karina Gazizova received a 2nd degree diploma.
Students of the Vocal Art educational program participate in competitions and festivals of various levels, as well as in the Republican Student Olympiad organized by the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory. Madina Akhtamova became a 3rd degree laureate in the nomination Academic Vocal. Solo at the II International Performance Skills Competition “Volzhskaya Metelitsa.”Alan Mergali won a 1st degree laureate title in the nomination Pop-Jazz Vocal. Solo at the same competition. Aida Tlekkabul, Magzhan Mukhambetov, Ümitzhan Kenesova, and Bakytzhamal Eleusiz became 3rd degree laureates of the XIV Republican Subject Olympiad “6B02103 – Vocal Art” in the nomination Concert and Chamber Performance held at the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory (Almaty, 2021–2022).
Graduates of the Traditional Musical Art educational program work in cultural and artistic institutions of the cities of Astana, Almaty, and Uralsk and are prominent representatives of the creative intelligentsia of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Students of the program actively participate in various competitions and achieve prize-winning places.
At the XVI Republican Student Subject Olympiad held at the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory in 2024, the following results were achieved:
– Nomination “Zhyrshylar” – 3rd place (Sabina Dzhumageldina); Nomination “Kyl-kobyz” – 3rd place (Nazerke Kazbekova); Nomination “Terme” – 3rd place (Dauren Orash).
At the I Republican Arts Competition “Zhyr Alyby – Zhambyl,” organized by the BalBulak Youth Creative Center, first-year student Gauhar Salekenova won the Grand Prix in the nomination Instrumental Performance (Almaty, 2023, certificate).
In the same competition, in the nomination Ensemble, first place was awarded to first-year student Gauhar Salekenova and second-year student Adeliya Murzagaliyeva (Almaty, 2023, diploma). At the International Competition-Festival, Dinara Gayypnazarova Uzakhbaykyzy became a laureate of the 1st degree (Moscow, October 1, 2024). At the Republican Competition of Musical Art, Gauhar Salekenova was awarded a 1st degree laureate diploma (Astana, October 25, 2024).
The criteria forming the foundation of the team’s positions and educational policy are professionalism and a clear understanding of goals and ways to achieve them.
An uncompromising attitude toward work, demonstrating a commitment to high results and quality, is the informal motto of the teaching staff. Strengthening the unit’s status at a high qualitative level is achieved through strong motivation and activity of the entire faculty.
The use of new technologies and methods, a creative approach to improving the delivery of educational material, flexibility, and an individual approach to each student define the internal positioning of the teaching staff.
Educational Programs
Training under the educational program 6B02102 Vocal Art is carried out in accordance with License No. KZ33LAA00018425 dated June 25, 2020, within the framework of the comprehensive development concept of M. Utemisov West Kazakhstan University. The duration of study is 4 years for full-time education and 3 years for the accelerated format, with the qualification of Bachelor of Vocal Art awarded. The staffing level of the faculty is 100%.
Graduates are prepared for solo chamber and stage performance, teaching vocal disciplines in children’s music schools, art schools, secondary specialized educational institutions (music and art colleges), as well as for work in cultural and educational organizations, radio and television, and concert institutions. The objects of professional activity include cultural and artistic organizations and secondary music educational institutions. The subjects of professional activity include performance and interpretation of musical works, preparation of concert programs, and organization of musical ensembles.
Types of professional activity include:
– performance and teaching activities;
– organizational activities in cultural and artistic institutions;
– management of departments in cultural, artistic, and educational organizations;
– creation and development of creative projects;
– organization of festivals, competitions, conferences, and master classes, and their informational support.
Training under the educational program 6B02125 Traditional Musical Art is aimed at providing specialists for the western region of Kazakhstan and the republic as a whole in the following specializations: folk instruments (dombra, kobyz, bass kobyz, bayan, accordion, domra-prima, shertar); folk singing.
Training is conducted in accordance with License No. KZ33LAA00018425 dated June 25, 2020. Graduates receive the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts with the qualification concert performer, pre-university education teacher, orchestra and folklore ensemble artist.
The faculty staffing level is 100%. All teachers have basic professional education and extensive teaching experience.
Training under the educational program 6B02129 Instrumental Performance is aimed at preparing specialists in the following areas: string instruments, piano, wind and percussion instruments. Graduates receive the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts with the qualification teacher, orchestra artist, concert performer. Education is provided in full-time format (4 years), as well as in an accelerated format (3 years) for applicants with secondary specialized education, in Kazakh and Russian.
Graduates demonstrate 100% employability and successfully work in social, cultural, and educational institutions of the region, as well as in professional creative ensembles in Kazakhstan and abroad (philharmonic societies, theaters, creative associations). Students study on the basis of state grants and on a tuition-paying basis. The main focus of research projects is the comprehensive topic “Musical Culture and Art of Western Kazakhstan.”
Practice bases for these educational programs include the D. Nurpeisova Children’s Music School, the Kurmangazy Music College, and the G. Kurmangaliyev Regional Philharmonic Society.
