Karol Gajda
It's been nine years since I've been a member of the Trombone Unit Hannover and another chance to share my thoughts on what it's like to be part of this great group. This ensemble really means a lot to me. I feel very lucky to be part of this group and to have such a great relationship with the guys. Nowadays I am mainly an orchestral musician and teacher at the University of Music, but from time to time I also have the opportunity to perform as a soloist. I've always believed that just being in one part of the music world is not enough to be a complete, satisfied and ever-improving musician. It is very important to look for connections between orchestral playing, soloing, chamber music and teaching. And that is what I get from Trombone Unit Hannover. I have the chance to be a complete musician.Another thought: I believe that if you want to sound good on your instrument, it's best to be surrounded by great players. I'm convinced that when you play in a great orchestra or ensemble, you absorb all the qualities of the people standing next to you.
One of the best things I've learned from my TUH fellows is that every part is just as important as the main voice. It doesn't matter what you play, whether it's the alto, bass or middle voice. We are all active, making music, listening to each other and having fun. All these things make Trombone Unit very special.
VITA
Karol Gajda was born in Poland in 1991. He studied trombone with Prof. Zdzislaw Stolarczyk at the Academy of Music in Krakow and at the Chopin Academy of Music as well as with Prof. Jonas Bylund at the HMTM Hannover. Karol Gajda is a laureate of numerous national and international competitions. He won 2nd prize at the International Competition for Tenor and Bass Trombone in Budapest 2016, 1st prize at the 22nd International Competition "Città di Porcia" 2011, 1st prize at the 45th International Competition in Markneukirchen 2010 and 3rd prize at the 63rd International Competition "Prague Spring" 2011. In 2009 he was a finalist at the competition Young Musician of the Year, a part of the national eliminations of the Eurovision Competition for young musicians. In the same year he received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage "Young Poland".
He has performed as a soloist (including with the orchestras of the Warsaw Philharmonic, the Polish Radio Orchestra, the Prague Chamber Orchestra, the Vogtland Philharmonic and the Chursächsische Philharmonie) and chamber musician in Poland and abroad. Solo recitals he performed at the European Trombone Festival ''Slide Factory'' (Rotterdam 2013), at the ITA Festival (Austin 2010, Paris 2012) and at the IPV Symposium (Hannover 2012, Rostock 2015).
In the 2016/2017 season he was principal trombonist of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra in Gdansk. Since December 2017 he is trombonist of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice. He teaches at the Chopin Academy of Music and at the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Krakow.
He has performed as a soloist (including with the orchestras of the Warsaw Philharmonic, the Polish Radio Orchestra, the Prague Chamber Orchestra, the Vogtland Philharmonic and the Chursächsische Philharmonie) and chamber musician in Poland and abroad. Solo recitals he performed at the European Trombone Festival ''Slide Factory'' (Rotterdam 2013), at the ITA Festival (Austin 2010, Paris 2012) and at the IPV Symposium (Hannover 2012, Rostock 2015).
In the 2016/2017 season he was principal trombonist of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra in Gdansk. Since December 2017 he is trombonist of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice. He teaches at the Chopin Academy of Music and at the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Krakow.
