Welcome to the H Project Performing Arts Association — HPPAA
Expanding Musical Boundaries.
Igniting Creativity.
Inspiring the Next Generation.
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“HPPAA celebrates the fusion of creativity and tradition, crafting music that tells a powerful story, resonates deeply, and pushes the boundaries of artistic expression.”
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What We Do
🎶 Commission & Perform: We sponsor and premiere original compositions and daring arrangements.
🌍 Collaborate & Innovate: We unite with artists, academics, and organizations worldwide to create unique cross-disciplinary works.
🎓 Educate & Inspire: Our masterclasses, workshops, and mentorship programs empower musicians of all ages.
🎷 Celebrate Jazz & Beyond: With projects like the Double Vision Jazz Ensemble and the Austin Jazz Composers Collective, we highlight jazz’s rich history while exploring new horizons.
Founded in 2011 by award-winning jazz pianist and composer Hank Hehmsoth, the HPPAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit redefining the jazz, world music, and contemporary art music experience from Austin and San Marcos, Texas.
Our Mission
We bring the transformative power of music to diverse audiences through innovative commissions, captivating performances, and educational outreach. Our projects foster creativity, bridge cultural divides, and connect people through the universal language of music.
We’re honored to receive a prestigious grant from the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, recognizing our dedication to advancing jazz through innovative compositions, performances, and education.
HPPAA Wins the Aaron Copland Music Award
Expanding the Boundaries of Jazz
At the heart of this achievement is the vision of the Double Vision Jazz Ensemble, led by Hank Hehmsoth and John Mills. With the support of the Aaron Copland Fund, we are excited to pursue our mission of blending contemporary art music, world music, and jazz traditions to push the boundaries of the genre.
Our Plans with the Grant
This grant will enable us to:
🎷 Perform Live Shows:
Bring captivating performances to audiences in Austin and beyond, showcasing our unique blend of jazz influences.
🎼 Compose New Works:
Develop innovative compositions that reflect our commitment to artistic growth and boundary-pushing creativity.
🎓 Inspire Young Musicians:
Expand our educational initiatives to nurture the next generation of jazz artists and enthusiasts.
Gratitude and Commitment
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Aaron Copland Fund for Music for their support and dedication to fostering creativity in the arts. Their recognition of our work fuels our passion to keep jazz thriving as a vital and evolving art form.
Stay Connected
Follow us for updates on performances, newly commissioned works, and ways to support our mission.
Projects
Mathematics in Concert – Orchestrating Instruction for the 21st Century
Promotion for the 2004 CAMT Convention: Mathematics in Concert – Orchestrating Instruction for the 21st Century, featuring a drawing of Einstein playing the violin. HPPAA Director Hank Hehmsoth collaborated with the Texas Education Agency, Texas Association of Supervisors of Mathematics, and Texas Council of Teachers in Mathematics to present interdisciplinary corollaries between music and mathematics during the three-day Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, July 27-29, 2004
HPPAA & Supple Music Series Present: Double Vision Live! 🎶🎭
HPPAA, in partnership with the Supple Music Series, is proud to sponsor this Double Vision concert, showcasing the intersection of jazz, art, and education. Through innovative performances like this, we champion arts-integrated learning, inspiring creativity and deeper connections between music and academia.
Join us for an unforgettable night where jazz meets innovation! 🎷✨
HPPAA Enabling New Compositions: "Three Shades of Blue" 🎶🎻🎹
"Three Shades of Blue", a chamber jazz composition, commissioned by the renowned Kandinsky Trio for their 25th anniversary celebration. Premiered on April 16, 2013, this work was also featured with Texas State University’s Common Experience theme, "A Global Odyssey: Exploring Our Connections to the Changing World."
HPPAA: Enabling New Compositions & Collaborating with leading performing arts organizations 🎭🎶
"Ritú Del Sol Andes: Diem" (1996), an original ballet composition by Hank Hehmsoth, commissioned by Ballet Austin and choreographed by director Toni Bravo for the Kinesis Dance/Theatre Project.
Through projects like this, HPPAA continues to champion interdisciplinary collaborations, bringing together musicians, dancers, and artists to push creative boundaries and preserve cultural storytelling through music.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Jazz Artists!
Through education, we shape the future of jazz. HPPAA is proud to support initiatives like the Dean’s Seminar to Inspire Young Musicians, where Hank Hehmsoth led a session on “Creativity: Where Does It Come From?” This interactive event blended jazz performance, storytelling, and live discussion, reinforcing HPPAA’s mission to expand educational initiatives and nurture young talent.
“A true moment of mentorship—because the next great jazz voices start here.”
HPPAA participated in the GRAMMY in the Schools program, an educational interactive workshop, seminar, and master class sponsored by the NARAS Foundation, Inc. This event connected Austin high school students with professional musicians, fostering creativity and excellence in music education.
HPPAA Championing New Compositions: "X-trusions: A Déjà Vu in 4D" 🎻
Through its commitment to fostering innovation in music, HPPAA proudly supports the creation and performance of new compositions that push artistic boundaries. With HPPAA’s support, “X-trusions: A Déjà Vu in 4D” was developed and went on to win First Place in the 2010 NACUSA Texas Composition Competition before its premiere at the International Joint Conference on Latin-American and Modern Music.. 🎶✨
HPPAA: Enabling New Compositions & Preserving Texas History 🎶📽️
As part of its mission to support new compositions and preserve Texas' rich cultural legacy, HPPAA proudly champions works that celebrate history through music. "Lady Bird Johnson: Legacy of a First Lady," a 1999 documentary produced by the U.S. National Park Service, featuring an original score composed by Hank Hehmsoth. This film chronicles Lady Bird Johnson’s achievements in environmental conservation and her lasting influence as First Lady of the United States. the documentary keeps her legacy alive for new generations. Lady Bird herself acknowledged Hehmsoth’s contributions, inscribing:
"For Hank Hehmsoth, whose talents added pleasure and charm to 'my film' on this special day."
HPPAA continues to support the creation of new works while preserving Texas’ musical and historical heritage. 📽️ View the film’s listing on IMDB
