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-Tomilson, violins; Beth Dzwil, viola; Mimi Morris Kim, cello – has been leading the way in stretching the limits of the string quartet canon for 40 years. They are dedicated to bringing the intimacy and vitality of chamber music to diverse audiences and are committed to performing classical works of historically under-performed composers in addition to those in the standard classical repertoire, works by women composers, and works in diverse genres including pop, jazz, folk, and Latin music. The Fairmount String Quartet records on the Spring Garden Records label and is in residence at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Philadelphia.

Discography:

Lou Harrison’s “String Quartet Set” to be released in late 2024.

“StringFlo” music for yoga, Pilates, and meditation by Ellen Fishman (2023) featured in Strings Magazine.

“Nodus Tollens” by Addison Rider (2023)

“Unleashed” music of women composers, Teresa Carreño, Ellen Fishman, and Fanny Hensel (2023)

“Amazing Grace” by Jennifer Higdon (2020)

“Spoken with Strings” pop music (2019)

All of the above recordings are available on all major streaming platforms.
CDs are also available at live performances or on request.
Fairmount String Quartet Spotify Page

2024-25 40th Anniversary Season

South Wayne PorchFest

An outdoor concert of fun music of many genres. Free!
For more info: https://southwayneporchfest.com/

String Flo Yoga

Friday, September 20, 2024 – 7 PM
Parish Hall, Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
8000 St. Martins Lane, Phila., PA 19118

The Fairmount String Quartet is joined by bassist Timothy Raub to perform a “StringFlo” yoga class to celebrate the release of the StringFlo album. Led by Jake Ellis of Cocoon Yoga Studio in Mt. Airy. You can read about StringFlo in the March edition of Strings Magazine. Tickets.

Classical Series 1

Saturday, November 16th at 7:30 PM
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martins Lane, Phila., PA

Sunday, November 17th at 3:00 PM
Settlement Music School, 4910 Wynnefield Ave., Phila., PA

Pay-what-you-can at the door admission. $30 for adults and $8 for students is suggested. A Meet the Artists reception follows these concerts. Reserve your seats.

Program:
Ludwig van Beethoven – String Quartet Op. 18, #6
Gabriela Lena Frank – Leynedas
Arvo Part – Fratres

Corner House Concert

Friday, January 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Private home in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. The address will be given to you upon registration for tickets.

Another one of our unique mash-ups of music of different genres. A suggested donation of $15-20 per person goes directly to the musicians.
For more info: cornerhouseconcerts.com

Szalon

Sunday, February 23, 2025 – 7 PM
In person and online.

The Fairmount String Quartet will perform Soo Yeon Lyuh’s “Yessori” in a program of many artists performing in a variety of cultural styles. For more information: Zalonarts.org

Classical Series 2 – Mendelssohn Octet!

Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Main Line Unitarian Church, 816 South Valley Forge Rd., Devon, PA

Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martins Lane, Phila., PA

The Fairmount String Quartet will be joined by past members of the ensemble in Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet. Pay-what-you-can at the door admission. $30 for adults and $8 for students is suggested. A Meet the Artists reception follows these concerts. Reserve your seats.

Program:
Emilie Mayer – String Quartet in G major
Jessie Montgomery – Strum
Felix Mendelssohn – Octet, Op. 20

Pergolesi Stabat Mater

Tuesday April 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martins Lane, Phila., PA

The Fairmount String Quartet accompanies Gillian Booth, Soprano and Marisa Miller, Alto.

Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross

Friday, April 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martins Lane, Phila., PA

The Fairmount String Quartet performs Haydn’s String Quartet, Op. 51 interspersed with spoken reflections by members of the St. Martin’s community. Free.

Classical Series 3

Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martins Lane, Phila., PA

Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 12:00 Noon
Main Line Unitarian Church, 816 South Valley Forge Rd., Devon, PA

Pay-what-you-can at the door admission. $30 for adults and $8 for students is suggested. A Meet the Artists reception follows these concerts. Reserve your seats.

Program:
Franz Joseph Haydn – String Quartet in Bb, Op. 76, #4, “Sunrise”
Elena Ruehr – String Quartet #8, “Insect Dances”
Giuseppe Verdi – String Quartet in e minor

Listen

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
• Nodus Tollens

  Germaine Tailleferre – String Quartet
  Nodus Tollens – Addison Rider
  Rhiannon Giddens – At the Purchaser’s Option
  Franz Schubert – String Quartet #14 in d minor, “Death and the Maiden”

• 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