ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre welcomes Harlem Quartet as resident artists

The Arizona State University School of Music, Dance and Theatre is pleased to announce the Harlem Quartet as the 2025–26 resident artists in the ASU Visiting Quartet Residency Program.

“The Harlem Quartet is a dynamic group of musicians who are invested in sharing music that is sometimes overlooked in the historical canon,” said Jonathan Swartz, professor and founding artistic director of the program. “They have a compelling voice, and their artistry and enthusiasm are a joy for audiences and students alike.”

Each year the School of Music, Dance and Theatre string faculty select a professional string quartet as resident artists to work with ASU music students on unique curricula while helping them hone collaborative and communicative skills that transcend music study. The visiting quartet presents concerts, demonstrations, lectures, master classes and open rehearsals during their residency, and the students who study with the quartet present fall and spring semester culminating concerts.

This year will be Harlem Quartet’s first year as resident artists in the program.

Swartz said the program is always looking to engage quartets who are making a significant impact with their work and have something unique to offer students and the community.

“The Harlem Quartet are excellent teachers, and their repertoire interests expand our curricular offerings for our students,” said Swartz.

The quartet performs a distinctive repertoire that extends beyond the traditional string quartet canon, featuring works by women composers, historically marginalized voices and jazz-influenced compositions.

Each concert for the 2025–26 season highlights the various qualities and interests of the quartet.

The November program presents works by women composers; the January program will involve jazz repertoire; and the final concert in April brings a folk element to the music while presenting a lesser-known viola quintet by Bruch.

Tickets will go on sale three weeks prior to each concert through the Herberger Institute Box Office.

“Female Forward”
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Katzin Concert Hall
Tickets

Concert program:  
Jessie Montgomery, “Strum” 
Caroline Shaw, “Entr’acte”
Angélica Negrón, “Marejada”
Fanny Mendelssohn, “Quartet in E-flat”

Visiting Quartet Residency Program Culmination Concerts
Friday, Nov. 14. and Monday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. 
Katzin Concert Hall
Free

ASU students perform chamber music studied during the semester, representing their work with ASU faculty and the Harlem Quartet. Music will include works by, inspired by or dedicated to women and new compositions by ASU composition students.

“Jazz Inspirations”
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, 7:30 p.m. 
Katzin Concert Hall
Tickets

Concert program:
Ludwig van Beethoven, “String Quartet, Op.18, No. 5”
Guido López-Gavilán, “Guaguanco” 
William Bolcom, “Three Rags for String Quartet”
Wynton Marsalis, “At the Octoroon Balls”

“Folk Inspirations”
Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 7:30 p.m. 
Katzin Concert Hall
Tickets

Concert program:
William Grant Still, “Lyric Quartette”
Benjamin Britten, “String Quartet No. 2”
Max Bruch, “String Quintet in E-flat” with Jonathan Swartz, viola

Visiting Quartet Residency Program Culmination Concerts
April 23–24, 2026, 7:30 p.m. 
Katzin Concert Hall
Free