Swarthmore will celebrate one of its most beloved musical traditions with FetterFest, a two-day event during Garnet Weekend honoring the 50th anniversary of the Elizabeth Pollard Fetter Chamber Music Program. The heart of the Fetter program lies not just in the music performed, but in the deep and lasting bonds it fosters.

What began in 1975 as a modest scholarship fund for string quartets has blossomed into a cornerstone of the College’s music program — and FetterFest promises to capture that legacy in a joyful reunion of generations of musicians, faculty, and friends.

FetterFest begins Friday, Oct. 24, with a nod to the program’s origins: the string quartet. The College welcomes the Brentano String Quartet, one of the world’s most acclaimed ensembles, whose founding violinist Serena Canin ’88 is herself a Fetter alumna, for a day of music and mentorship.  

On Saturday, alumni spanning five decades will gather to play in small ensembles — some reuniting with their College partners after decades apart, and others meeting for the first time. Highlights include a participatory “Drop-In and Sing!” event and a special performance by members of the Chroma Quartet (Class of 2022) with guest violinist David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra. The festivities culminate with a celebratory concert in Lang Concert Hall, featuring more than two hours of music in a wide range of styles, performed by alumni and special guests.

“We are so thrilled to celebrate the Elizabeth Pollard Fetter Chamber Music Program, one of the cornerstones of music making at Swarthmore for the past 50 years, and we are delighted that so many Garnet Weekend guests will be attending the events,” says Andrew Hauze ’04, senior lecturer in music, and co-coordinator of the program along with Jenny Honig.

A Legacy of Generosity and Growth

The Elizabeth Pollard Fetter Chamber Music Program traces its roots to 1975, when Elizabeth Pollard Fetter, Class of 1925, created the Pollard Scholarship Funds in memory of her mother, Emilie Garrett Pollard ’93. After Elizabeth’s death in 1977, her husband Frank Whitson Fetter, Class of 1920, endowed the Elizabeth Pollard Fetter String Quartet Scholarships, supporting students eager to explore the rich world of string quartet repertoire.

In 2001, the program expanded and was renamed the Elizabeth Pollard Fetter Chamber Music Program, broadening its scope to support a wide range of chamber groups. Over the years, successive generations of the Fetter family — including Bob Fetter ’53, Tom Fetter ’56, Ellen Fetter, and Annie Fetter ’88 — have continued to strengthen the endowment, ensuring that future Swarthmore musicians can share in the same opportunities.

“For half a century, Swarthmore students have benefited from the generosity of the Fetter program,” says Hauze, “including weekly coaching with the best professional musicians in Philadelphia, master classes with distinguished musicians from all over the world, and rich and varied concerts at Swarthmore and beyond celebrating the joy of making music in small groups.”  

Deep and Lasting Bonds

Many alumni credit the Fetter program with shaping their Swarthmore experiences — and in some cases, their lives. 

“It was where I formed lifelong friendships and grew tremendously as a musician,” says Joyce Han ’13, who met her husband, Daniel Feist ’15, through the Fetter program. “My career today isn’t in music, but making music with local Swarthmore friends in Boston brings me so much joy. I’m very excited to return to the stage a decade later, making music again with old friends (and for the first time with my husband on stage)!”

For current students and recent graduates, the program continues to offer opportunities to explore their artistry in new ways. Among them is Allison Shih ’25, who played in a flute quartet with Lauren Martindale ’25, Kayden Bowie ’25, and Tianlan Wen ’26.  

“We’re happy to be able to return to celebrate the program that brought us so many fun and meaningful memories at Swarthmore,” says Shih. “I’m especially grateful and excited for the opportunity to make music with friends again, and experience others' musical memories through the variety of performances happening on campus!”

For many, the program’s influence extends far beyond campus. Deborah H. How ’89, P’25 recalls how chamber music at Swarthmore transformed her life’s path.

“Although I played piano and flute competitively through high school, I had never thought about being a professional musician — I arrived at Swarthmore as a potential math/biochemistry major,” says How. “But when it came time to officially declare my major, my advisor [David Rosen] in the Math Department asked, ‘If money were no object, what would you be doing in 20 years?’ Without hesitation, I answered, ‘playing chamber music.’ 

“Playing in small ensembles with now-lifelong friends at Swarthmore changed my career path, and I’ve been a professional musician since I graduated,” says How, executive director of the Westside Music Conservatory in Los Angeles, Calif. 

“Being back to be a part of FetterFest is coming full circle.”