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Saturday, March 27

Golden Hornet: String Quartet Smackdown VII

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GOLDEN HORNET PRESENTS

STRING QUARTET SMACKDOWN VII

LIVE ON ALAMO ON DEMAND

March 27 at 7:00 p.m. | Livestream Event

LIVE ON MARCH 27: IT'S LIKE MARCH MADNESS FOR THE EARS!

Now in its seventh year, Golden Hornet’s String Quartet Smackdown is a bracketed, NCAA basketball style tournament competition that brings original four-minute string quartet compositions head-to-head in front of a live, participatory audience.

The competition will be hosted by composer Graham Reynolds and KMFA's Judlyne Gibson. This year, due to pandemic restrictions, the production will be livestreamed via Alamo On Demand.

The compositions, written by 16 different composers from around the world, will be presented by Vórtice Ensemble and the audience decides who will be the String Quartet Smackdown Champion!

BUY TICKETS!

Donate $99 and you will receive a VIP Package from Golden Hornet that includes a digital copy of "Golden Hornet Presents: Vórtice String Quartet, Live from Mexico City" - the official album featuring recordings of all 16 string quartets chosen as finalists for the Smackdown VII competition performed by Vórtice Ensemble String Quartet, a Golden Hornet coffee mug, "The Musician" Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Still Austin**, coffee from Rigby Roastery, drink recipes by composer and mixologist Graham Reynolds, and a FREE COUPON CODE to access String Quartet Smackdown hosted by Graham Reynolds and KMFA's Judlyne Gibson -- live from Austin, Texas on March 27, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. CST. 

Must donate by noon on March 27 to receive your coupon code in time for the LIVE BROADCAST.

*Digital Album will be available AFTER the conclusion of the March 27 Smackdown VII live event.

**Whiskey delivery ONLY available in the Austin area. Donors who live outside of Austin will receive a non-alcoholic substitute.

GET A VIP PACKAGE

Click the video below to view the official trailer:

 

Event Details

Ticket Information

  • Cost: $28.00

Presenter Details

  • Name: Golden Hornet

    • 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, Golden Hornet presents four core programs. First, the String Quartet Smackdown results in sixteen new, original string quartet compositions from composers of all backgrounds. Second, the 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, the 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, its 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.

    Golden Hornet's methods continue to be informed by the extensive experience and network of Artistic Director Graham Reynolds and by its central values of inclusion, accessibility, collaboration, innovation, and excellence.