Hitting the right note: Volker Gallasch prevails in the 16th International Speaker Slam

Music is more than just sounds and melodies - it is a path to greater joie de vivre and inner fulfillment. For Mr. Gallasch, music is an essential basic need. In his eyes, everyone can express themselves through music. As a musician and music teacher, he is passionate about the idea that active music-making not only connects the cerebral hemispheres, but can also convey emotions in a unique way. His motto: "Experience MUSIC! Through music to more joie de vivre" reflects his passion and conviction.

 

More than just notes on a sheet

 

Mr. Gallasch was already taken with music as a child. His passion for music was so great that it became the main focus of his studies. From passing on pedagogical, musical knowledge to his students, to stage performances and leading musical workshops: For him, music is more than just notes on a page - it's about creating emotions that go beyond the written word. For him, breathing, feeling and merging together to form a musical organism are magical moments that bring the work to life. As the founder of Erlebnis-Musik, he is passionate about offering vacation, elementary school and choir/orchestra workshops.

 

A new champion is crowned

 

The Speaker Slam is an exciting speaker competition in which the participants only have 4 minutes to convince the jury and audience with their message. Despite the limited time, the speakers manage to convey all the essentials and establish a connection with the audience. This is undoubtedly the supreme discipline in professional speaking.

 

Volker happily explains: "I had four minutes to convince people with my speech of my idea that music can improve life." And he did convince an audience of 100,000 live viewers. He beat 116 speakers from 21 nations to win the coveted Gold Diploma in the Arts and Culture category. His message about the transformative power of music not only reached the jury, but also the audience, making him the radiant winner.

 

Music is for sharing!

 

As a music educator, it is important to Volker Gallasch to pass on his enthusiasm for music and share it with others. He helps musicians of all ages to overcome difficulties and read between the staves. A playful approach to music enables him to adapt each piece of music to the abilities of the participants and to support them in making music in the "flow" and drawing strength from the music. His work is characterized by appreciation and respect for the individual talents and strengths of each participant. From the fall, he will be leading the folk music course "Bradln und Aufspieln" in cooperation with Volkskultur NÖ. 

 

C to the power of 3 brings creative people together

 

Volker was a participant in the successful C to the power of 3 creative industry coaching in Lower Austria in 2023 and has also realized his musical knowledge with his colleagues as a cooperation. For the song Crossroads, which was created together with seven artists from Lower Austria as part of the coaching program, he recorded the arrangement on cajon and accordion and sang in the background. But you can find out more about this in our next story in April.