Once, a beautiful Phoenix bird spread its wings and soared through the skies. However, at the end of its 500-year life span, the bird flew into a burning fire, and from the ashes, a new Phoenix was born.

According to this myth, this cycle still continues and a new Phoenix is born every 500 years.

Marika Fisher Hoyt, founder and violinist of Ames’ quartet Phoenix, thought naming the group after this bird was appropriate because of the symbolism and parallels between the bird and the quartet. According to Hoyt, the bird symbolizes optimism.

“Death isn’t the end; life goes on,” Hoyt said. “There’s also a connection with the bird being beautiful. I want the audience to feel the beauty.”

Hoyt said people who don’t know the real meaning behind the group’s name sometimes think the group is connected to the city Phoenix. While there is a quartet in Phoenix, Ariz., named The Phoenix Quartet, Hoyt said the quartets are not linked.

“It’s a logical assumption,” Hoyt said. “That’s why we called ourselves ‘Phoenix’ and not ‘The Phoenix Quartet.'”

Stemming from the Des Moines Symphony, Phoenix members include violinist Julie Fox Henson, violinist Larysa Kozak, cellist Mary Pshonik and Hoyt.

Hoyt said she knew Henson and Pshonik before the group began, but Kozak was brought into the quartet after an audition.

Although the members of Phoenix are a part of the Des Moines Symphony, Hoyt said Phoenix is not on the same performance level as the Symphony’s quartet, Pioneer String Quartet.

The Pioneer Quartet only performs at recitals, whereas Phoenix performs at weddings and other special events.

Another characteristic that distinguishes the two groups is the repertoire list.

Phoenix’s list includes works by Brahms and Ravel and contemporary “hip” pieces by composers such as David Balakrishnan of the Turtle Island String Quartet.

However, the two quartets may have a chance to perform together in the Mendelssohn Octet in the future.

Phoenix’s upcoming performance will include Balakrishnan’s “Skylife.” As the quartet has been rehearsing this piece, Hoyt has spent several hours on the phone with Balakrishnan. He has been able to help her with the different instrumentation, down to the fingering used.

“He’s written a ton of stuff for jazz string quartets,” Hoyt said. “I would like this collaboration to go on.”

Phoenix will be recording this weekend’s concert at the request of Balakrishnan. The quartet also hopes to record a CD and is using this recording to test the waters.

“We’re expecting to learn a lot from this first recording,” Hoyt said.

Phoenix will perform Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Collegiate United Methodist Church.

The concert is free; however, goodwill offerings will be accepted at the door.