The psychology of creativity and leadership in military music according to Simonton's approach: A comparative analytical study between the anthem "Allahu Akbar" and the march of the "Iraqi Guard of Honor"

Abstract

This study investigates The Psychology of Creativity and Leadership in Military Music, aiming to monitor the operational mechanisms of creativity and leadership within this sovereign discipline by tracking the structural and formal transformations of its repertoires. Methodologically and conceptually, the study is fundamentally grounded in Simonton’s approach, which is specialized in analyzing creative products, artistic leadership, and the historical and evolutionary contexts of compositions. The research utilizes the anthem "Allahu Akbar" (as a model for the adapted vocal genre) and the "Iraqi Honor Guard March" (as a model for the innovated purely instrumental genre) for technical, maqam, and structural analysis to demonstrate the philosophy of artistic leadership in addressing field requirements. Adopting a descriptive-analytical methodology driven by Simonton's criteria in the psychology of creativity, the study reveals several key findings. Notably, the psychology of creativity in purely instrumental marches grants the composer complete autonomy and absolute compatibility with the acoustic capabilities of military band instruments, aligning with the standards of creative and leadership maturity. Conversely, the procedural adaptation of anthems remains constrained by physical limitations that hinder field leadership flexibility. The study recommends integrating specialized academic lectures into military music curricula to strictly differentiate between the two genres from psychological and technical perspectives, alongside establishing a mandatory protocol that prioritizes the use of innovated Iraqi marches in sovereign ceremonies to enhance national identity and leadership.