Media Release

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For immediate release
September 19, 2006

Barry Shiffman to host Fall Concert Series kick-off at The Banff Centre

Taste of the Series
Friday, September 29, 7:30 p.m.
Rolston Recital Hall, The Banff Centre
Tickets $20 Adult, $15 Student/Senior, $10 Child
Concert Lover Cardholders Free
The Banff Centre Box Office: 762-6301 or 1-800-413-8368

Barry Shiffman, The Banff Centre's new director of music programs will kick off the Centre’s fall music concerts with the Taste of the Series event on September 29. The launch party, featuring musicians in residence from around the world, introduces a lineup of dozens of weekly concerts between September 29 and December 15 at the Centre and in venues around the Bow Valley community.

“With such a range of artists in residence coming to the Centre this season, from Baroque violinists to experimental 21st century composers and performers, we have great opportunities for extraordinary concert experiences,” Shiffman says. “The list of guest faculty mentors is a who’s who of the music world. I can’t wait to see and hear the results.”

Following the Taste of the Series, young professional musicians will present the Concert Night Out series every Friday through December, accompanied by a variety of internationally-celebrated visiting artists, including Canadian pianist Anton Kuerti on November 10, Joel Smirnoff, first violinist with the Juilliard String Quartet on November 24, and violist and conductor Henk Guittart December 1.

The Banff Centre is also offering the popular Concert Lover Card at $50 per person, for admission to all the Fall and Winter Series’ concerts. Valid from September 29 to December 15, 2006 and January 12 to March 23, 2007, and the Card is available through The Banff Centre Box Office, 762-6301, 1-800-413-8368, or box_office@banffcentre.ca.

Barry Shiffman

Raised in Toronto, violinist and violist Barry Shiffman co-founded the St. Lawrence String Quartet in 1989. Canada’s premiere string quartet and winners of the First Prize at the 1992 Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC), the SLSQ has an international following and is recognized as one of the world-class chamber ensembles of its generation. Appointed director of music programs by The Banff Centre November 2005, Shiffman’s association with The Banff Centre spans his entire career, from youth classes to recording the SLSQ’s recent compact disc, Awakening, for EMI Classics in the Rolston Recital Hall. Shiffman has also been appointed executive director of BISQC.

For a full schedule of Fall music concerts:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/events/music/2006/fall/

For high resolution, downloadable photos of visiting musicians:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/media_room/images/fall_concert/default.asp

For a high resolution, downloadable photo of Barry Shiffman:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/media_room/images/people/#shiffman