BISQC 2022 Tickets & Packages
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Banff Centre International String Quartet Festival
September 1 - 3, 2023
15th Banff International String Quartet Competition
August 25 - 31, 2025
Recognized as one of the premier chamber music competitions in the world, BISQC is a large celebration of chamber music in a festival format attracting enthusiastic capacity audiences.
Breathtaking performances in the Jenny Belzberg Theatre, illuminating lectures, shared meals, special events, and spectacular mountain views are available to the public with the purchase of a full week, finals weekend package or a passport. When you purchase a BISQC package or passport, you will have the same seat throughout the entire competition or weekend.
Information regarding Packages, Passports, and Individual Concert Tickets for the 15th BISQC will be updated Fall 2024.
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2022 Concert Schedule
All concerts take place in the Jenny Belzberg Theatre.
Day 1: Monday, August 29
21st Century Haydn Round
Quartets will perform a complete work by Franz Joseph Haydn from a preselected list, as well as a complete quartet written in 2000 or later.
Concert 1: 2 p.m.
Concert 2: 7:30 p.m.
Day 2: Tuesday, August 30
21st Century Haydn Round
Quartets will perform a complete work by Franz Joseph Haydn from a preselected list, as well as a complete quartet written in 2000 or later.
Concert 3: 10:30 a.m.
Concert 4: 2 p.m.
Concert 5: 7:30 p.m.
Day 3: Wednesday, August 31
Romantic Round
Quartets perform a complete quartet from the romantic or nationalistic repertoire.
Concert 6: 2 p.m.
Concert 7: 7:30 p.m.
Day 4: Thursday, September 1
Romantic Round
Quartets perform a complete quartet from the romantic or nationalistic repertoire.
Concert 8: 10 a.m.
Alumni Gala Concert
Featuring violinist James Ehnes, pianist Marc-André Hamelin, and 2019 First Place Co-Laureates Viano String Quartet and Marmen Quartet.
Alumni Gala Concert: 8 p.m.
Day 5: Friday, September 2
Canadian Commission Round
All 10 quartets will perform the Canadian Commissioned work by composer Dinuk Wijeratne.
Concert 9: 10 a.m.
Special Concert Presentation
Featuring PUBLIQuartet Reflections on Beauty and Davóne Tines Recital No. 1: MASS
Special Concert Presentation: 8 p.m.
Day 6: Saturday, September 3
Recital Ad-Lib Round
A performance of up to 35 minutes programmed with a repertoire of the Quartet’s choosing.
Concert 10: 10:30 a.m.
Concert 11: 2 p.m.
Concert 12: 7:30 p.m.
Announcement of the three finalists following jury deliberation.
Day 7: Sunday, September 4
Finals
The three finalists perform a quartet by Beethoven.
Concert 13: 2 p.m.
Awards Ceremony
Following jury deliberation.
7:30 p.m.
Note: Schedule subject to change.
2022 Resident Audience and Passport Holder Exclusive Events
Open Masterclass, Lectures, and Special Events are only open to those audience members who have purchased BISQC packages such as our full-week or weekend on-campus buyers, as well as our passport package holders, unless otherwise noted.
Space is limited for the Open Masterclass, and seating is provided on a first come first served basis.
Lectures are approximately 45 minutes in length, with the exception of Friday, September 2 which will be 30 minutes.
Welcome: Sunday, August 28
Package pickup: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Full week package and passport holders will receive their BIQC tote bags with the competition guide and name badge. BISQC staff will be available during this time to answer questions. Background music will be provided by our youth quartet program participants.
Professional Development Centre (PDC) Lobby
Welcome Reception: 7:30 p.m.
Full week audience (package and passport holders) are invited to join us for welcome remarks by Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity President Janice Price and BISQC Director Barry Shiffman. Background music will be provided by our Youth Quartet Program participants.
Kinnear Centre for Creativity & Innovation (KCCI) Husky Great Hall
Day 1: Monday, August 29
James Ehnes Chamber Music in my Life - A conversation with James Ehnes, hosted by Barry Shiffman
Lecture: 11 a.m.
Kinnear Centre for Creativity & Innovation (KCCI) Husky Great Hall
Day 2: Tuesday, August 30
Denis Brott
In the Bank: origins of Canada Council’s Music Instrument Bank and its future
Lecture: 9 a.m.
Kinnear Centre for Creativity & Innovation (KCCI) Husky Great Hall
Day 3: Wednesday, August 31
Free time to enjoy your surroundings, for excursion ideas please see BISQC website or the Audience Information Desk in the theatre lobby. Please note that Lunch in Vistas is NOT included in packages today so we encourage you to go exploring!
Morning until 2 p.m. concert
Open Masterclass
Students from the Youth Quartet Program receive coaching from BISQC Mentor in Residence Mark Steinberg.
Masterclass: 4:30 p.m.
Rolston Recital Hall
Mentor in Residence Program supported in honour of the R.S. Williams & Sons Company
Day 4: Thursday, September 1
Free time to enjoy your surroundings, for excursion ideas please see BISQC website or the Audience Information Desk in the theatre lobby.
After lunch until 8 p.m. concert
Day 5: Friday, September 2
Dinuk Wijeratne
Composer of the Canadian Commissioned work Dinuk Wijeratne in discussion with BISQC Director Barry Shiffman.
Lecture: 9 a.m.
Jenny Belzberg Theatre
This lecture is open to all who have purchased tickets to the concert that follows.
Dr. Stephan Ottrubay
Dr. Stephan Ottrubay, Director General of the Esterházy Foundation in discussion with BISQC director Barry Shiffman.
Lecture: 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Great Husky Hall, Kinear Centre
Free time to enjoy your surroundings, for excursion ideas please see BISQC website or the Audience Information Desk in the theatre lobby.
After lunch until 8 p.m. concert
Day 6: Saturday, September 3
Sebastian Ruth
Toward Many Publics: Music, Musicians, and Rethinking Purpose
Lecture: 9 a.m.
Kinnear Centre for Creativity & Innovation (KCCI) Husky Great Hall
Day 7: Sunday, September 4
Free time to enjoy your surroundings, for excursion ideas please see BISQC website or the Audience Information Desk in the theatre lobby.
Morning until 2 p.m. concert
Note: Schedule subject to change
The lecture series is generously supported by Ernie and Sandra Green.
2022 Audience Excursions
Package purchasers and passport holders enjoy access to exclusive events.
Nestled in Canada’s first national park in the heart of the spectacular Rocky Mountains, Banff attracts some four-million visitors a year. With towering peaks and 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.
You can join us for pre-planned excursions (such as a bus trip to Lake Louise) or embark on your own adventures. Either way, we hope you take advantage of easy access to endless outdoor activities in Banff National Park.
Audience Resources
BISQC audience have the opportunity to experience the thrill and the heartbreak of a chamber music competition up close. Learn more about the competition from the selection process to the voting procedures, and more.
View 2022 Competitor Information
Banff Airporter 15% Discount
BISQC audience members receive a 15% discount on Banff Airporter's daily scheduled shuttle service to/from the Calgary Airport and Banff. Locally owned and operated, Banff Airporter is the official airport shuttle provider for BISQC and Banff Centre. Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as you travel into the Canadian Rockies.
