Banff International String Quartet Competition

Established in 1983 as part of Banff Centre’s 50th anniversary, BISQC is a major celebration of chamber music in a festival format that attracts enthusiastic audiences for sold-out performances. Directed by Barry Shiffman, BISQC is recognized as one of the premier chamber music competitions in the world and the largest event of its kind. A program of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, BISQC is a career accelerator for all invited ensembles, thanks to its unparalleled exposure to concert presenters, managers, and broadcasters from North America. The schedule contains four rounds of competition for all ten quartets and a fifth final round for the top three competitors.