2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition Audience Brochure
CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE
Banff International String Quartet Competition
Winners are now the “Who’s Who” of the World’s Greats:
1983 Colorado Quartet
1986 Franciscan Quartet
1989 Quatuor Manfred
1992 St. Lawrence String Quartet
1995 Amernet String Quartet
1998 Miró Quartet
2001 Daedalus Quartet
2004 Jupiter Quartet
2007 Tinalley String Quartet
2010 Cecilia String Quartet
2013 Dover Quartet
2016 Rolston String Quartet
2019 Marmen Quartet and Viano String Quartet co-winners
2022 Isidore String Quartet
2025 Your chance to hear some of the most exciting young musicians in the world today. Join us and be in the audience when the new winner is announced.
“BISQC ISN’T LIKE OTHER COMPETITIONS, IT’S MORE OF A BIG FESTIVAL AND CELEBRATION OF QUARTET PLAYING, HANGING WITH OTHER QUARTETS, AND SHARING THE SAME ANXIETIES AND STORIES. GETTING FEEDBACK FROM THE AUDIENCE THAT THEY REALLY LOVED US WAS THE ONLY THING WE WANTED. WE WANTED SOMEONE TO SEE US AND SEE OUR POTENTIAL AS YOUNG QUARTET PLAYERS. WHEN WE WON BISQC, IT WAS THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD—OVERWHELMING AND A DREAM COME TRUE.”
—DEVIN MOORE, VIOLIST, ISIDORE STRING QUARTET
Isidore String Quartet, BISQC Winners 2022. Photo by Rita Taylor.
Barry Shiffman, Director
ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS STRING QUARTET COMPETITIONS
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity founded the Banff International String Quartet Competition nearly 40 years ago to celebrate the art of chamber music and to support emerging string quartets. Since then, it has become one of the top events of its kind in the world. This year, the finest young string quartets will compete for over $500,000 CAD in cash, prizes, and career development opportunities which include touring, a recording residency, the Southern Methodist University Peak Fellowship Ensemble-in-Residence Prize of a paid residency worth $110,000 CAD, an Esterházy Foundation Residency with concerts at Haydn Hall in Eisenstadt and the Lucerne Festival, and an opportunity for a two-week Chamber Music in Residency at the prestigious Britten Pears Arts in England. Every nonfinalist quartet benefi ts by receiving a Christine and David Anderson Prize of $5,000 CAD. Additionally, BISQC ensures an inclusive and supportive environment for all invited competing quartets, by covering all travel, accommodation and meals.
BISQC 2025 promises audiences a week of breathtaking performances, the opportunity to engage with fellow music-lovers, and the unparalleled mountain views of Banff National Park.
Sun, Aug 24 –
Full week package arrivals and evening welcome reception.
Mon, Aug 25 – Round 1: 21st Century Haydn
Morning lecture on Training Young Quartets with Mentorin-Residence Mark Steinberg in conversation with Director Barry Shiff man and select BISQC jury members. A�ternoon and evening concerts.
Tues, Aug 26 – Round 1 cont'd
Morning lecture with violinist, educator, and disability advocate Adrian Anantawan. Morning, a�ternoon and evening concerts.
Wed, Aug 27 – Round 2: Romantic
Free morning to explore. Concerts a�ternoon and evening.
Thurs, Aug 28 – Round 2 cont'd
Morning concert then free a�ternoon to explore. Evening Alumni Gala concert featuring previous BISQC winner the Isidore String Quartet, and friends.
Fri, Aug 29 – Round 3: Kati Agócs World Premiere
Director Barry Shiff man in discussion with composer Kati Agócs, on her new work Rapprochement, followed by the highly anticipated Canadian Commission Round. New Special Event for 2025: Viennese Waltz Night with dancing, desserts, and wine for ticketed guests.
Sat, Aug 30 – Round 4: Beethoven/Schubert + 20th Century
Morning, a�ternoon and evening concerts. Press release late evening announcing the three fi nalist quartets.
Sun, Aug 31 – Round 5: Finals
A�ternoon concert with the three fi nalists presenting programming of their choice. Evening awards ceremony.
More details at ban centre.ca/bisqc — schedule subject to change
Kati Agócs, photo by Robyn Twomey; Adrian Anantawan, photo by Justin Anantawan
Viennese Waltz Night
The splendor of Austria is coming to the Banff International String Quartet Competition with a special evening of dancing, live music, desserts, and wine from the region on Friday, August 29.
Viennese Waltz Night starts with an afternoon group dance lesson so you can brush up on your steps before the gala. Change into your festive dress and enter our Austrian Palace later that evening for an enchanting experience complete with live music, dancing, and regional delicacies.
Limited ticket availability so don't hesitate to purchase as an optional add-on during your BISQC package booking request process.
Facade of the Palace of Esterhazy, Northern Hungary.
AUDIENCE PACKAGES
With various package options and seat tiers to choose from, you can find your musical bliss at the 15th BISQC.
Stay on-site in the comfort of Banff Centre’s hotels with full amenities, meals in our award-winning Vistas Dining Room, reserved seating to concerts, and built in savings over individual item pricing. Hotels are centrally located on campus, which is surrounded by forest and mountain views making for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay as well as easy access between venues.
OR
Tailored to our audiences who do not require accommodation or meals but still want to experience it all, a passport package includes reserved seating to all concerts and access to lectures with built in savings over individual ticket pricing.
ON-SITE PACKAGES
• Full week option of arrival Sunday, August 24 or Weekend option of arrival Thursday, August 28. Package departures on Monday, September 1, 2025
• Accommodation on-site for either the full week (8 nights) or weekend (4 nights)
• Meals in Vistas Dining Room, including arrival day dinner and departure day breakfast*
• Same reserved seat for all concerts throughout your package stay
• Access to all lectures and youth quartets masterclass
• Full week package welcome reception
• Commemorative competition program booklet
• Use of on-site extensive fitness, aquatic, and recreation facilities
Tier A Full Week Seating
Solo $4,338.39
Duo $6,390.92
Tier B Full Week Seating
Solo $4,043.16
Duo $5,800.47
Tier A Weekend Seating
Solo $2,554.85
Duo $3,966.76
Tier B Weekend Seating
Solo $2,367.11
Duo $3,591.28
PASSPORT PACKAGES
• Same reserved seat for all concerts throughout the event from Mon, Aug 25 to Sun, Aug 31, 2025
• Access to all lectures and youth quartets masterclass
• Welcome reception
• Commemorative competition program booklet
Tier A Passport Seating
$951.55
Tier B Passport Seating
$659.48
PLEASE NOTE: All package prices are in Canadian Dollars and inclusive of all taxes and fees. Extras such as Viennese Waltz Night or merchandise are not included in packages, but will be available as optional add-ons during the online booking process.
Duo package prices are for shared accommodation, plus meals and tickets for two. Refund of 75% prior to July 1, and 50% prior to August 1.
* Full Week packages do not include lunch on Wed, Aug 27 so you can enjoy time exploring the area
ON SALE DATES:
• January 30 at 9 am
MT until end of day
February 10
Seating Renewal period for BISQC 2022 package buyers
• February 13 at 9 am MT
General Package Sales begin
• May 14 at 9 am MT
General Single Event Ticket Sales begin
Two easy ways to book your BISQC getaway:
Book online through our secure booking request form – form link found at bisqc.ca once sales goes live.
Contact the BISQC team for questions or assistance with the booking process or regarding optional add-on items. 403.762.6231 or bisqc@banffcentre.ca
Photos by Tom Arban.
SEATING MAP
All performances during BISQC take place in the Jenny Belzberg Theatre at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
When you purchase a BISQC audience package, the same seat will be reserved for you throughout your package duration.
Using the secure online booking request form, seating preferences can be noted, or for 2022 BISQC package buyers that same seat can be chosen during the early renewal period. If requesting a new seat or for other package buyers, a representative from Banff Centre Box Offi ce will call to review seating preferences noted on this form and arrange your specifi c seats. Your booking request will only be guaranteed once seating is confirmed and credit card has been charged.
All package buyers receive name badges upon arrival which will note seating details so no individual tickets are needed. For those staying on-site, the name badge also provides access to meals. Wheelchair and Accessibility
If you or your partner
or have other special
needs, please include on your booking request or mention to the agent upon booking.
"I LOVE BISQC. IT FEEDS MY SOUL. SO DOES THE SETTING OF BANFF AND ITS MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAINS. AN UNMATCHED EXPERIENCE FOR A MUSIC LOVER."
—AUDIENCE MEMBER, BISQC 2022
Lucy Wang of Viano String Quartet, BISQC co-Winners 2019. Photo by Donald Lee.
EXPLORE THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
Nestled in Canada’s first national park in the heart of the spectacular Rocky Mountains, Banff is an inspiring and rejuvenating destination to explore. With towering peaks, clear alpine lakes and streams, breath-taking scenery awaits at every turn. Be inspired and rejuvenated in this UNESCO World Heritage site, without missing any of the music. Opportunities will be available for preplanned excursions to explore the area, or embark on your own adventures. Either way, we hope you take advantage of easy access to endless outdoor activities in Banff National Park.
Information on excursion options will be available to audience package purchasers in the spring.
Receive 15% discount on Banff Airporter’s daily scheduled shuttle service to/from Calgary International Airport with a direct stop at Banff Centre hotel reception. Locally owned and operated, Banff Airporter is the official airport shuttle provider for BISQC and Banff Centre. A BISQC specific promo code will be shared in package booking confirmation details.
banffairporter.com
Lake Louise and Peyto Lake, photos by Roth & Ramburg; Sacred Buffalo Guardian mountain. Photos courtesy of Travel Alberta.
