KMFA Classical’s Offbeat Series announces the world premiere of Golden Hornet’s INSECTUM featuring new works by Susie Ibarra, Jeffrey Zeigler, and Graham Reynolds, on February 22, 2024 at the Draylen Mason Music Studio. In partnership with the nonprofit commissioning and presenting organization Golden Hornet, the evening will include a pre-concert chat with the featured artists and consulting scientists.

Co-commissioned by Kathleen and Harvey Guion & the Guion Family Foundation and Suzanne Deal Booth & The Suzanne Deal Booth Cultural Trust and supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, INSECTUM dives into the fascinating, though often overlooked, lives of arthropods. In addition to shining a light on these resilient creatures, the performance also offers a cautionary tale as to the dangers of climate change and the loss of species diversity.

INSECTUM is a sonic exploration of the resilience and beauty of the world’s oldest living multicellular creatures; arthropods. Originally inspired by the pioneering imagery of artist-entomologist Maria Sibylla Merian, and further by consultation with entomologists Alex Wild and Jo-anne Holley at The University of Texas at Austin, the event aims to not only bring audiences “down” to these creatures’ level but also to reframe our relationship with them.

The event will feature world premieres by composer/performers Susie Ibarra (drums/percussion), Jeffrey Zeigler (cello), and Graham Reynolds (piano/keyboards/electronics). Part performance, part educational experience, INSECTUM combines science and music to weave together an unforgettable evening that finds beauty in all things small.

General admission tickets are $30.00 or $15.00 for students. Capacity is limited and this event is expected to sell out. Tickets are available now at kmfa.org/offbeat.