The Banff International String Quartet Competition, a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions, is recognized as one of the premier chamber music competitions in the world.
Established in 1983 and occurring triennially, BISQC is set in the splendour of the Rocky Mountains at the world-renowned Banff Centre.
A large celebration of chamber music in a festival format, BISQC attracts enthusiastic capacity audiences.
The unparalleled exposure to concert presenters, managers and broadcasters from North America and abroad makes BISQC a career launching pad for all invited ensembles.
Applications Open for Quartets October 1, 2024 and close March 1, 2025.
Quartets selected for the 15th BISQC will be advised by April 30, 2025. No more than 10 quartets will be selected to attend the competition. The quartets selected to participate in BISQC are strongly encouraged to arrive in Banff on Friday, August 22, 2025, but may travel on Saturday, August 23, 2025 as long as they arrive in Banff no later than 4pm. All competing quartets must remain on-site through to departure on Monday, September 1, 2025.
Each quartet invited to BISQC will perform in the first four rounds and if selected, will perform a fifth time during the Final Round.
| Sections | String quartet |
| Deadline | 01 Oct 2024 - 01 Mar 2025 |
| Finals | 25 - 31 Aug 2025 |
| Where | Banff, Canada |
| Age groups | String quartets whose members are each under 35 years old on September 1, 2025 |
Preliminary jury:
Ayane Kozasa, Guillaume Sutre, Joshua Gindele
Competition Jury:
Eckart Runge, Marie Chilemme, Jonathan Crow, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Honggang Li, Eugene Drucker, David Ying
$25,000 CDN cash prize
Winner’s Concert Tours in career-building markets in Europe and North America, arranged by Banff Centre
A two-week residency t Banff Centre including a recording produced by Banff Centre
Southern Methodist University Peak Fellowship Ensemble-in-Residence Prize which includes a one-year paid visiting residency at the Meadows School involving performances, coaching, and mentorship. This residency is valued at over $110,000 CDN.
A residency with the Esterházy Foundation, including concerts at Haydn Hall in Eisenstadt and the Lucerne Festival.
An opportunity for a two-week Chamber Music Residency at the prestigious Britten Pears Arts in England
$12,000 CAD cash prize;
A creative residency at Banff Centre including coaching and mentorship opportunities.
• $8,000 CAD cash prize;
• A creative residency at Banff Centre including coaching and mentorship opportunities.
$4,000 CDN for the best performance in Roud 3 of the commissioned quartet by Kati Agócs.
All quartets invited to participate in the competition are provided return transportation from their home to Banff as well as room and board for the duration of BISQC. A separate rehearsal room for each quartet will also be provided.
Audiences are welcome to view all rounds during BISQC.
Audience packages go on sale in January 2025.
