St. Louis Symphony Heart Quartet Performs for Immigrants

The SymphonyCares Heart Quartet plays music with a healthy message around the St. Louis region.

The quartet includes three St. Louis Symphony Orchestra musicians and a cardiac surgeon from Saint Louis University Hospital.

Dawn Hui, M.D., a graduate of medical school and Juilliard, is a founding member of the quartet.

"It's a real honor and a privilege to work with these musicians," Hui said.

Joo Kim, Xi Zhang, and Ann Fagerburg round out the quartet.

In addition to playing beautiful music, the quartet shares life-saving information with audience members during performances.

"The risk of heart disease is probably higher than people are aware of," Hui said. "It is the number one cause of death in America, so we try to educate our audience members."

The quartet also plays music from composers who suffered from heart disease and pieces that have some connection to heart disease.

The quartet's last performance was at the Mackland International Senior Center. The audience included several dozen immigrants.

"Many of these people may never be reached by television, radio, and conventional means," Hui said. "It was very special to tell them about what I see, what I do, and maybe even make a change in someone's life."

For more information about the SymphonyCares Heart Quartet click here.

About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1880 and now in its 137th season, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country and widely considered one of the world's finest. Under the leadership of Music Director David Robertson, currently in his 12th season, the SLSO strives for artistic excellence, educational impact and community connection while meeting its mission statement: enriching people's lives through the power of music. The SLSO presents a full season of classical programs and Live at Powell Hall concerts and hundreds of free education and community programs each year. Media partners include St. Louis Public Radio, 90.7 -KWMU, which broadcasts the Symphony's Saturday night subscription concerts live + The Nine Network, which regularly features SLSO performances on its Night at the Symphony program. In addition, the SLSO is known for its Grammy Award-winning recordings, Carnegie Hall appearances, national and international tours, innovative programming and extensive community engagement initiatives. www.slso.org