In Aktobe Music College, which opened in 1971, the Department of Kazakh folk instruments immediately took a special place.  Its founder was the first director of the new educational institution K.U. Kozhanbayev – not only an excellent organizer, who in a relatively short time managed – in the face of a shortage of personnel – to gather a fairly professional team from all over the Soviet Union, but also a wonderful dombrist and talented teacher, a favorite student of A. Zhubanov himself. Honored Worker of Culture, member of the Union of Composers Kairgali Usengalievich later became Honorary Professor of the Kazakh National Conservatory named after Kurmangazy.

K.U. Kozhanbayev during the lesson

            A group of like-minded people gradually formed around the first leader. A talented and charismatic conductor of the orchestra of folk instruments AE Bagdauletov played an important role in the formation of the department.

Orchestra of Kazakh folk instruments. In the center – teachers A.E.Bagdauletov and N.T. Abdikarimova

            The art of conducting is also associated with the activities of A.A. Kumisbekov, who made many arrangements for the orchestra and trained a large number of graduates working as leaders of various groups of folk instruments.

A.A. Kumisbekov at a conducting lesson

            Later they were joined by dombra players S.N. Nugmetov and B.A. Izbaskanov.

            The activity of T.B. Beisov was of great importance for the department of folk instruments. For more than 10 years he served as the head of the department, for several years he worked as a conductor of the orchestra of Kazakh folk instruments and brought up a large number of grateful students-dombrists, many of whom became laureates of prestigious republican and international competitions, graduated from the conservatory, successfully performing on stage and made a career in the pedagogical field

Conductor T.B. Beisov and soloist N.E. Taubekov in the process

          The founder of the kobyz class of the Aktobe Music College in 1972 was Nasu Tabynovna Abdikarimova, who studied at the Almaty State Conservatory named after I. Kurmangazy at the People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor F.Zh.Balgayeva. The first graduates-kobyzists of the department of folk instruments A. Gubaidullina, K. Imankarina, D. Suyunshalieva, R. Raimbergenova, A. Tuleuova, N. Tleuzhanova, S. Koybagarova and others are currently continuing the work of their teacher, working in various educational institutions of the republic

Classes in the classroom of teacher N.T. Abdikarimova

            Gradually, the influx of applicants increased, the department expanded, and new teachers were hired: M. N. Baiganin, A. Y. Raimbergenov, N. R. Omarov, M. O. Kulmurzayev, S. Suyumkhanov, Zh.S.Zhailaubayeva.

Teachers of the department. From left to right: sitting-B. A. Izbaskanov, A. A. Kumisbekov, Zh. S. Zhailaubayeva, T. B. Beisov; standing -D. K. Taubekova, A. Y. Raiymbergenov, N. A. Yerzhanova, N. R. Omarov

As you know, dombra and mare are very popular in Kazakhstan. That is why the Kazakh folk instruments Department is currently the largest in the college, and every year a large number of applicants strive to enter it, passing a strict competitive selection.

            During half-century existence, the department trained about 600 specialists. More than 200 of them – that is, every third – graduated from the most prestigious music universities of the republic: the Kazakh National Kurmangazy Conservatory or the Kazakh National University of Arts. Many have become qualified teachers of various educational institutions or successfully play in orchestras and ensembles of folk instruments. Some returned to their native educational institution, joining the ranks of its teachers.

Teachers of the department. From left to right: sitting-M. O. Kulmyrzayev, D. K. Taubekova, M. N. Baiganin, N. A. Yerzhanova, A. A. Kumisbekov; standing-Zh. Zh. Asylkhanov, A. Y. Raiymbergenov, N. R. Omarov, B. A. Izbaskanov

            And today, the department of Kazakh folk instruments employs the best performers in the college-virtuosos, known not only in the region, but also managed to win well-deserved recognition, receiving awards and titles signed by the first President of Kazakhstan. Thus, the winner of the republican competitions Zh. Zh. Asylkhanov, one of the best performers of the country, a researcher of Kazangap’s creativity, became an Honorary citizen of the Aktobe region, the owner of the title “Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, the medal “For Valiant Labor”, the badge “Excellent Student of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan”. The same badges are worn by his colleagues: the winner of the republican competitions, the dombrist-virtuoso T. E. Khamzin and M. M. Kabizhanova-Bisengaliyeva, the chief conductor of the orchestra named after A. Zhubanov of the Aktobe Regional Philharmonic named after G. Zhubanova. 

The selfless pedagogical work of the department teachers was awarded with awards of the Motherland. The Altynsarin Medal was awarded to N.A. Yerzhanova, who, together with D.K. Taubekova, was awarded the badge “Honorary Worker of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.” The prize of akim of the region for high achievements in professional activity was received by A.U. Azhigaliyev. 

Currently, the department is headed by T.J. Mustafin, who repeatedly participated in the jury of regional and republican competitions and brought up a whole galaxy of talented student laureates. Under his leadership, excellent students D. Zhanshin, A. Akhmedyarova, A. Arykbayeva, G. Amankos became the owners of the scholarship of the Foundation of the First President of Kazakhstan.

            High professionalism and outstanding achievements in their teaching work are consistently demonstrated by both experienced teachers.Sarsengaliyeva, M. B. Balzhanova, and beginners M. Khozhabayeva, E. Mustafin, Zh. Bolatuly, A. Abishova, B. Kuandykov, Zh.Nysanov, M. Karagulova, P. Mergali, M. Saparov, A. Zhanshina, A. Yelubay, M. Otarbay.

Teachers of the Department of folk instruments. 2020

From left to right: sitting – Zh. Zh.Asylkhanov, D.K. Taubekova, N.R.Omarov, N.A. Yerzhanova, U.A. Agzhaliyeva; standing – Zh. Nysanov, M.E.Karagulova, J.Bolatuly, P.S.Mergali, M.M.Kabizhanova, T.E. Khamzin, Sh. Sh. Sarsengaliyeva, M.Z. Khozhabayea, .M.S.Saparov, A.T. Zhanshina, Zh.A.Maratov, B.K.Kuandykov

            The formation of high authority of Aktobe College of Music named after A. Zhubanov was facilitated by its graduates, many of whom are well known in the republic. So, A.I. Rayymbergenov, the creator of folklore and ethnographic Murager ensemble, the principal – Kokil college, the performer-dombrist, the winner of the First republican competition of Kurmangazy became Professor of the Kazakh national conservatory of Kurmangazy, the musicologist, the author of study guides and programs, Candidate of Art Studies, holder of the Order “Kurmet”.

Professor E. B. Basykara, awarded the title of “Cultural Worker” and the A. Baitursynov Medal, winner of national and international competitions, works at the same conservatory. Their colleagues are the laureate of international competitions, Associate Professor Z. Sh. Izmuratova, who has the title of “Excellent Student of Culture”, and Master N. B. Zhakypbek.

            Professor, Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, holder of the Order “Kurmet,” winner of the medal T.B. Alipbayev made his career at the Kazakh National University of Arts.            Thus, having a highly qualified pedagogical staff, combining teachers of different generations, grateful and successful graduates, talented and promising students, the Kazakh folk instruments Department is confidently looking into the future and is ready for new achievements for the benefit of its native college.