BISQC

Banff International String Quartet Festival

The Banff International String Quartet Festival goes beyond traditional concerts, incorporating dance, unexpected instruments, and orchestral elements in performances

AUGUST 20, 2026 - Guests can still purchase tickets to Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Works by Neshama Nashman, Opus13, and Steven Isserlis and Connie Shih.

Banff International String Quartet Festival

Banff International String Quartet Festival Announces Full Artistic Lineup for Immersive Weekend of Music in the Mountains, Including Jan Lisiecki, Steven Isserlis, Afiara Quartet, Dalí Quartet, Opus13 Quartet, and more

FEB 13, 2026 - World-class string artists, cross-disciplinary performances, and collaborative concerts anchor four-day Festival this September.

Poiesis Quartet performs at BISQC 2025

Poiesis Quartet Wins Grand Prize at Banff International String Quartet Competition

AUG 31, 2025 - Poeisis Quartet Wins Grand Prize at Banff International String Quartet Competition

Finalists Announced for 15th Triennial Banff International String Quartet Competition

AUG 31, 2025 - Three quartets will compete for the grand prize at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta, Canada

2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition

Competitors Announced for 15th Triennial Banff International String Quartet Competition

APR 30, 2025 - Banff Centre announces the competitors for the 15th Banff International String Quartet Festival, taking place from August 25 - 31, 2025

Opus13 performs on stage at the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition

Banff International String Quartet Competition showcases jury, reimagined competition elements, and Canadian commission

BISQC returns for its 15th iteration with an internationally celebrated jury and Rapprochement, a newly commissioned piece by Canadian composer Kati Agócs.

Viano Quartet

Banff Centre Congratulates Viano Quartet on Being Selected for The Bowers Program

Congratulations to the Viano Quartet on being selected for The Bowers Program by The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

Dior String Quartet.

BISQFest 2023: Dates, Performers and Packages Announced

Banff Centre is excited to announce that the Banff International String Quartet Festival will take place from September 1-3, 2023.

Isidore String Quartet Performing at BISQC 2022

Banff Centre Congratulates 2022 BISQC Laureates Isidore Quartet on Receiving Avery Fisher Career Grant

Banff Centre Congratulates 2022 BISQC Laureates Isidore Quartet on Receiving Avery Fisher Career Grant

Barry Shiffman with Instrument

Banff Centre Announces Barry Shiffman as Director of Banff International String Quartet Competition and Festival Through 2028

Banff Centre Announces Barry Shiffman as Director of Banff International String Quartet Competition and Festival Through 2028

Head Shot of Violinist Andrew Strad

Banff Centre Mourns the Loss of Violinist Andrew Dawes

Banff Centre Mourns the Loss of Violinist Andrew Dawes, Former Faculty Member and Long-time Juror of Banff International String Quartet Competition

Image courtesy Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, photo by Jake Dyson

BISQC Quartets Announced

Announcing the ten string quartets chosen to participate in the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition

Phone (Main Switchboard)
403.762.6100

Address
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
PO Box 1020
Banff, Alberta
Canada
T1L 1H5

Find us on Google Maps

Banff Centre is supported by

Follow Us

We recognize, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as “Minihrpa” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Métis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play here, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.