Żywieckie Suwakowanie
XIX edition of the largest trombone and tuba
event in Poland
July 20-26, 2025
He is a laureate of numerous national and international competitions. His most significant achievements include: 1st prize at the 45th International Instrumental Competition in Markneukirchen (2010), 1st prize at the 22nd International “Città di Porcia” Competition (2011), 3rd prize at the 63rd International “Prague Spring” Competition (2011), 2nd prize at the International Trombone Competition in Budapest (2016), and 1st prize at the 5th Michał Spisak International Music Competition in Dąbrowa Górnicza (2011).
In 2009, he was a finalist in the national "Young Musician of the Year" competition, which serves as a continuation of the National Eliminations for the Eurovision Young Musicians contest.
For his artistic achievements, he has been awarded scholarships multiple times from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Open Philharmonic of Musical Agrafka, National Children's Fund, and the Małopolska Scholarship Foundation "Sapere Auso". He is also a laureate of the "Młoda Polska" scholarship program.
Karol Gajda performs as a soloist and chamber musician both in Poland and abroad. As a soloist, he has appeared with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice, Polish Radio Orchestra, Baltic Philharmonic, Podkarpacka Philharmonic, Zabrze Philharmonic, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Vogtland Philharmonie, Chursächsische Philharmonie, and Kammerorchester Musica Assoluta.
He has also performed at the most prestigious trombone festivals, including the International Trombone Festival in Austin (Texas) and Paris, the European Trombone Festival "Slide Factory" in Rotterdam, and the IPV Symposium in Hanover and Rostock. As a chamber musician, he collaborates with Trombone Unit Hannover and the International Trombone Ensemble.
Since December 2017, he has been a trombonist in the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice.
He is also a faculty member at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków.