Fairmount String Quartet – Fairmount Strings

Fairmount
String Quartet

Described as “likable and warmhearted” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, and “expert to the point of perfection” by the Chestnut Hill Local, the Fairmount String Quartet – Rachel Segal and Leah Kyoungwoon Kim, violins; Beth Dzwil, viola; Mimi Morris Kim, cello – has been active in the Philadelphia chamber music scene since 1984.
They are the Ensemble in Residence at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Philadelphia.

Dedicated to bringing the intimacy and vitality of chamber music to diverse audiences, the Fairmount String Quartet makes accessibility and education core parts of their mission. In addition to works in the standard repertoire, the Fairmount String Quartet is committed to performing music of historically underperformed and living composers.

Our musicians partner with presenters and educators to custom-tailor programs appropriate to each audience, offering programs for chamber music enthusiasts, newcomers to classical music, educational programs for all ages, and pop music lovers, among others. 

The Fairmount String Quartet records at Spring Garden Records. Their debut album “Spoken with Strings” is available on all major streaming platforms. Their second album, “Unleashed”, of works by women composers will release in February 2023.

Listen

Art of the Fugue – Bach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3AWU3-d1q4&t=298s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlQwCnetri0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiyEFgmbt4A&feature=youtu.be

Sample Programs

  • Music of Women Composers

    Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel – String Quartet in Eb
    Amy Beach – Quartet for Strings in One Movement
    Jennifer Higdon – Sky Quartet

  • Harmony for Humanity

    Arvo Pärt – Fratres
    Lou Harrison – String Quartet Set
    Dmitri Shostakovich – String Quartet #3
    Jennifer Higdon – Amazing Grace

  • Sky Dances
    Jennifer Higdon – “Blue Sky” from the Sky Quartet
    George Harrison – Here Comes the Sun
    Franz Haydn – String Quartet, Op. 64, #5, “The Lark” – “Allegro moderato” and “Finale – Vivace”
    Ellen Fishman – Lark Dances – “Allegro” and “Vivace”
    Copland – “Saturday Night Waltz” from Rodeo
    Leonard Bernstein – “Mambo”, “Tonight”, and “America” from West Side Story
    Claude Debussy – Clair de Lune
    William Bolcomb – “Graceful Ghost” from Three Ghost Rags
    Hoagy Carmichael – Stardust
    Van Morrision – Moondance
    Washington/Harline – When You Wish Upon a Star
  • Classical Inspiration

    Franz Haydn – String Quartet Op. 77, #2
    Caroline Shaw – Entr’acte
    Ludwig van Beethoven – String Quartet, Op. 18, #1

  • Latin Sounds

    Joaquín Turina – La oración del torero
    Teresa Carreño – String Quartet in b minor
    Heitor Villa-Lobos – String Quartet #5
    Arturo Márquez – Danzón #2
    Astor Piazzolla – Four for Tango

  • Pack a Picnic Pops

    Choose from our extensive list of contemporary pop, standards, Latin music and music of the stage and screen (both movie and video game) or tell us about your audience and we will create a program for you.

  • Educational Program

    Arcangelo Corelli – Gigue from “Sarabande, Gigue and Badinerie”
    Franz Joseph Haydn – String Quartet, Op. 76, #2, “The Quinten”, Finale – Vivace assai
    Ralph Vaughan Williams – Prelude on “Rhosymedre
    Jennifer Higdon – “Amazing Grace”
    Jennifer Higdon – Blue Sky from “Sky Quartet”
    Astor Piazzolla – Four for Tango
    Camila Cabello – Havana
    Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk

Public Performances

Thursday, March 30th at 8:30 PM

Fairmount String Quartet at World Cafe Live!

The Fairmount String Quartet performs with Tubey Frank + opening set by the FSQ.
World Cafe Live!
3025 Walnut St.
Phila., PA

Tickets and information

Friday, March 31, 2023 at 7 PM

StringFlo Yoga

Yoga class with live music written by Ellen Fishman performed by the Fairmount String Quartet.
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
8000 St. Martin’s Lane
Phila., PA  19118

Tickets and information

Kind Words

Friday evening’s performance…by the members of the Fairmount String Quartet was splendid…the playing was expert to the point of perfection.

Michael Caruso, Chestnut Hill Local

From more classical music to fun contemporary songs, Fairmount Strings knocked it out of the park.

Alison F., bride

We are so grateful that Fairmount Strings made our wedding day vision come to life. 

Jocelyn G., bride

The quartet was magnificent and so very professional. One guest said the setting and the quartet made the ceremony storybook!

Joanne F., Bride

Last night the audience told you so well what I am trying to put into words now. Thank you for an unbelievably beautiful concert!

Alice Nugent, Candlelight Concerts at Laurel Hill

The beautiful sound of your music will stay with me always. It was simply stunning and made our day feel like a fairy tale.

Julie & Tom B., Bride and Groom

Adding to their laurels — professionalism, intuition and timeliness, we look forward to many future musical endeavors with the Fairmount Chamber Ensemble.

Kevin O’Malia, Director of Music, First United Methodist Church of Germantown

I made a point of standing off to the side in the back of the church to listen. It was….well….perfection.

Chris C., Mother of the Bride

It is such a privilege to work with musicians of their caliber who are so genuinely committed to supporting the growth and development of our students.

Stephen Kushner, Director of Choral Music, Germantown Friends School

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your beautiful performance, which helped to make the vision and dream I had for my daughter’s wedding day come true.

Jeanne B., Mother of the Bride

They are wonderful musicians, easy to work with, and deliver performances of consistently high quality.

Clair Rozier, Director of Music, St. David’s Episcopal Church

Sheet music background image.