Julian Gau
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The mission of the Horizon Ensemble is to enrich the artistic and cultural lives of our communities of musicians and audiences through our orchestral concerts. We serve the community of the Boston area by providing accessible musical performances at no cost in a historical space. We also support the community of musicians in Boston by acting as a high-level ensemble playing unique repertoire with a relatively short rehearsal cycle. Finally, we further the artistic development of the community of young composers by providing them with performances of large-ensemble pieces, a much-desired opportunity.
- Income
- $48,174
- Spending
- $50,419
- Reserves
- -0.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 11 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 350% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (8)
- $2,519 spent. Horizon 11.7: Poulenc Party (February 23, 2025) [https://drive.google.com/file/d/10UpWJx2Bh19FP0UwDVl0JQoxEWIKGTyQ/view]. Horizon Ensemble invited their audiences to find some warmth in the witty, heartfelt music of Francis Poulenc. Come join the Horizon Ensemble for some chamber and orchestral music inspired and written by this wonderfully rascally French composer. Program: Sonata for Horn, Trumpet, and Trombone (1922) - Francis Poulenc I. Allegro moderato II. Andante III. Rondeau Jack Krugman, horn Cal Richards, trumpet Aidan Davidson, trombone Four Portraits in Brass (2025) - Yangfan Xu | world premiere! I. Allegretto: Le lutin agile (The agile sprite) II. Adagio: La dame blanche (The while lady) III. Rondeau: Le farfadet coquin (The mischievous goblin) IV. Danse: Le chat marin (The sailor cat) Featuring friends from The Ringers: Jack Krugman, horn Cal Richards, trumpet Robert Adams, trumpet Aidan Davidson, tenor trombone Ben Pilon, bass trombone Natalie Mundis, tuba Sonata for Violin and Piano (1943) - Francis Poulenc I. Allegro con fuoco II. Intermezzo III. Presto tragico Armando Ortiz, violin Julian Gau, piano Sinfonietta (1948) - Francis Poulenc I. Allegro con fuoco II. Molto vivace III. Andante cantabile IV. Tres vite et tres gai
- $3,880 spent. Horizon 13: Rediscoveries (September 20, 2025)[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CeqhesDGy1Ck3nYuRMBzjMn_sIhMaJCp/view] - In this season opener, Horizon Ensemble invited their audiences to rediscover images and melodies of the past, combined with modern styles and perspectives. Overture to The Anonymous Lover (also known as Symphony No. 2 in D Major) (1779) - Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges I. Allegro presto II. Andante III. Presto Comedy (2021) - Tomer Rozen I. Allegro II. III. Vivo Piano Concerto No. 1 (1924) - Germaine Tailleferre I. Vif II. Adagio III. Allegro Yuseok Seol, piano Symphony No. 3 in C minor (Organ Symphony) (1886) - Camille Saint-Saens I. Adagio - Allegro moderato - Adagio II. Allegro moderato - Presto - Maestoso - Allegro Yangfan Xu, organ.
- $4,500 spent. Horizon 14: Visions of Youth (November 9, 2025):Horizon Ensemble's Visions of Youth is a November 9, 2025 concert celebrating young composers, both living and historical, with a vibrant mix of contemporary and classic works. Event Details Date & Time: Sunday, November 9, 2025, 3:00 PM (doors open at 2:30 PM) HappeningNext.com Venue: Church of the Covenant, 67 Newbury Street, Boston, MA www.horizonensemble.org Format: Pay-what-you-can concert with suggested donation of $20-$25; donations collected in person or via Venmo (@HorizonEnsemble) The Boston Calendar+1 Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible; no bright or flashing lights allowed The Boston Calendar Livestream: Available on YouTube at youtube.com/live/axsY2hL6AsA
- $7,700 spent. Horizon O2: Alcina (June 27-29, 2025) - Horizon Ensemble was invited to collaborate with MASSOPERA, playing live music for opera Alcina. This fantastically magical tale navigates complex love triangles, enchantments, seduction, and hidden identities. With electrifying vocal acrobatics woven throughout the score, this opera is sure to leave audience spellbound. The shows were held on Friday, Jun 27, and Sunday, Jun 29, 2025. At the Lowe Auditorium at Arlington High School, 869 Massachusetts Ave. Arlington, MA 02476
- $4,880 spent. Horizon 12: MA Voices (April 6, 2025): A free concert of music celebrating the artistic and revolutionary voices of our beautiful Massachusetts. About this Event "Through all our history, to the last..." As springtime flourishes, let's celebrate our very own Bay State. The Horizon Ensemble celebrates the artistic, revolutionary voices of Massachusetts through orchestral music and poetry on Sunday, April 6 at 3:00 PM in the Church of the Covenant. We'll begin with the winner of the Horizon Ensemble's inaugural Call for Scores: Coonarr, by Australian composer John Rotar, a breathlessly flowing portrait of natural beauty. Next, we'll premiere Paul Revere by our friend Ben Nacar, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American hero, as inspired by the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem. Turning to history, we'll perform Jephthah's Daughter by Massachusetts composer Amy Beach, a heartrending portrayal of the Biblical tale of sacrifice and faith. Finally, we present Leonard Bernstein's momentous Jeremiah Symphony, depicting the prophet Jeremiah's desperate pleas for reform amongst the destruction and despair brought upon humanity. Our concert will feature Boston-based soprano Hannah Shanefield as a performer in Jephthah's Daughter and the Jeremiah Symphony. We'll also feature poetry by local poets Chia Lam and Farah Masud. This is a pay-what-you-can concert, with suggested donation of $20. We will collect donations in person at the concert, or you can find us on Venmo at @HorizonEnsemble. This concert is wheelchair-accessible. No bright or flashing lights are allowed at this event. If you can't make it in person, there will be a YouTube livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/XOOnFcqSb3E
- $2,907 spent. Horizon 12. Summer Winds (July 26, 2025): Two outdoor performances delivered on Saturday, July 26 at 1 PM at the Worcester St. Farm & Flea Market, 725 Tremont St; and Sunday, July 27 at 2 PM on the sidewalk of Open Newbury Street, 67 Newbury St. The performance started with Gordon Jacob's bright-hearted Old Wine in New Bottles, featuring British folk tunes cast in a 20th-century fashion. Next was the second performance of the Serenade for Winds by four Horizon Ensemble composers, each of whom wrote one movement back in summer 2023. Finally, finished with Antonín Dvorak's lyrical, dancing Serenade for Winds!
- $6,817 spent. Horizon Ensemble Recording Project: The Horizon Ensemble in Boston is preparing a 2025 recording project that will feature a mix of historically significant works and contemporary commissions, continuing their mission to enrich our communities of musicians and audiences and support young living composers.
- $2,600 spent. Horizon O4: Pirates of Penzance (August 16, 2025. At Arlington Street Church, 351 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116): A fully staged production, featuring nearly 50 young Boston-based artists, brings Arlington Street Church's beloved tradition of performing operetta at the church in the 80's and 90's back! Julian Gau leads the Horizon Ensemble orchestra and Hannah Shanefield stage directs.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2023.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.