Golden Hornet is a composer laboratory for the 21st century.

our LATEST commissioning endeavor

Our latest commissioning endeavor, MXTX, embraces a hybrid musical approach that empowers artists to collaborate across artistic, cultural, geographic, and political lines. Artists from both sides of the Rio Grande have come together to use the power and depth of the language of music to explore the issues where words often fail us.  

A bracketed, NCAA-March-Madness style tournament competition which brings original string quartet compositions head-to-head in front of a live, participatory audience. A panel chooses sixteen finalist pieces from an international pool of submissions… you choose the champion!

An intimate, SXSW Official concert featuring six new music and contemporary classical acts. Offered for badge holders and non-holders alike, the concert fosters exposure to groups leading the charge on revitalizing classical music for the modern age, all based here in Austin.

A six month skill-building experience inviting Austin-area youth ages 8 to 18 to compose original pieces and collectively produce a concert, all under the guidance of professional mentors. The collaborative process culminates in a public concert featuring a professional ensemble.

Each of our annual commissioning endeavors is designed to enrich our local arts community, as well as have extended life beyond Austin, strengthening our city’s reputation as a source for high caliber, genre-bending new music. The endeavors alternate in focus each year.