Graphite Publishing Reached Its 20th Anniversary
Founded in 2006, the digital music publisher has grown to represent 28 composers across the industry.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Classical
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In 2026, composers Jocelyn Hagen and Timothy C. Takach celebrated the 20th anniversary of Graphite Publishing. The firm, which they founded in 2006, prioritizes composer copyright ownership over traditional industry models.
Why it matters
The founders created the business to challenge traditional publishing contracts that typically offered low royalty rates and restricted creators' rights. By leveraging a digital-first delivery model, they successfully bypassed the overhead of physical printing and shipping.
Graphite Publishing maintains a compound annual growth rate exceeding 50% since 2020 and currently supports 28 individual composers. The firm offers a copyright buyout option as an alternative to industry-standard 10% royalty structures.
The players
Jocelyn Hagen
She is a composer and co-founder of the digital publishing firm Graphite Publishing.
Timothy C. Takach
He is a composer and co-founder of the digital publishing firm Graphite Publishing.
National American Choral Directors Association
This professional organization hosts annual conferences for choral music professionals and educators.
The details
Graphite Publishing utilizes a dedicated website for digital music distribution to avoid physical printing costs while employing contractors for daily operations. Roughly a decade ago, the company expanded its scope to include the distribution of works from other independent music publishers.
Timeline
Jocelyn Hagen and Timothy C. Takach founded the business in 2006.
The company began distributing works from other independent publishers in 2016.
Current growth metrics have been tracked since 2020.
The company celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026.
Graphite Publishing will appear at the ACDA Conference in Minneapolis in March 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The firm marks a departure from the traditional 10% royalty rate industry standard by offering composers copyright reclamation options. This shift reflects a broader trend of independent creators seeking greater equity in the digital music era.
Composers gain greater control over their intellectual property through the platform's copyright buyout options. Consumers of choral music benefit from the streamlined digital delivery of scores, which has eliminated the need for legacy physical printing and shipping wait times.
The takeaway
The success of this firm illustrates how digital-first strategies can provide viable alternatives to established publishing contracts. Composers looking for greater control over their work can view this model as a blueprint for bypassing traditional industry gatekeepers.
What happens next
The company will maintain a major presence at the National American Choral Directors Association Conference in Minneapolis in March 2027.
Further reading
For more on the changing landscape of musical composition, visit the Classical section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MinnPost.
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