OUR MISSION

OUR STORY

In the 1990s, Golden Hornet co-founders Graham Reynolds and Peter Stopschinski were both composers struggling to find spaces, presenters, and funding to support their original chamber works. During their search, they found that many other young and emerging composers were facing the same challenges. At the time, both Reynolds and Stopschinski were also bandleaders in the burgeoning rock and punk scene of Austin, TX -- of Golden Arm Trio and Brown Whörnet respectively -- and they decided to team up to solve this challenge. By applying the collective creation and self-production methods of the rock genre to the world of classical music, they were able to form a thriving community of living composers. Through Golden Hornet, numerous new works have emerged over the years from full-size symphonies performed in warehouse spaces to collaborations with Tosca String Quartet, Austin Lyric Opera, local high school orchestras, and composers like Glenn Kotche. 

Every year, we present four core programs. First, our String Quartet Smackdown results in sixteen new, original string quartet compositions from composers of all backgrounds. Second, our SXSW Official ATX Composers Showcase supports and celebrates six new music ensembles focused on contemporary works by local composers and connects them with a national and international network of music industry representatives. Third, our Young Composer Concert provides opportunities for local composers ages 8 to 18 to develop artistically and professionally through a six-month program. During this program, they compose an original piece of music, and collectively produce a public concert featuring a professional ensemble. Fourth, our always changing, but high-caliber, concert endeavor results in a performance that is of significant quality and relevance and is defined by its touring potential.

Our methods continue to be informed by the extensive experience and network of Artistic Director Graham Reynolds and by our central values of inclusion, accessibility, collaboration, innovation, and excellence. In 2008, Golden Hornet received an official 501(c)3 designation and has since grown in both capacity and consistency, and by the end of 2019, will directly serve an audience of over 1,400 individuals in the Austin area alone, plus more than 1,600 nationally and internationally.