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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.

Largest Prizes in Chamber Music

During BISQC 2025, the world's finest young string quartets will compete for over $500,000 CAD in cash, prizes, and career development opportunities which include touring, a recording residency, the Southern Methodist University Peak Fellowship Ensemble-in-Residence Prize of a paid residency worth $110,000 CAD, an Esterházy Foundation Residency with concerts at Haydn Hall in Eisenstadt and the Lucerne Festival, and an opportunity for a two-week Chamber Music in Residency at the prestigious Britten Pears Arts in England. Every participating quartet will benefit with all non-finalists receiving a Christine and David Anderson Prize of $5,000 CAD. Additionally, BISQC will cover all travel, accommodation, and meals for invited quartets, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for all competitors.

Be Part of the BISQC Experience

Scroll down for information regarding packages, schedule, and individual concert tickets for the 15th BISQC. 

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The BISQC Package Experience

An immersion in creativity and place

BISQC 2025 promises audiences a week of breathtaking performances in the Jenny Belzberg Theatre, illuminating lectures, shared meals, special events, the opportunity to engage with fellow music-lovers, and the unparalleled mountain views of Banff National Park. 

ON SALE DATES:

Thursday, January 30 at 9:00 a.m. MT until end of day Monday, February 10
Seating Renewal period for BISQC 2022 package buyers (both on-site and passport packages)

Thursday, February 13 at 9:00 a.m. MT
General Package Sales begin

Wednesday, May 14 at 9:00 a.m. MT
General Single Event Ticket Sales begin

Schedule Overview

Sunday, August 24: Full week packages arrivals and welcome reception.
 

Day 1: Monday, August 25

Competition Round 1: 21st Century Haydn with morning lecture, and concerts afternoon and evening.
 

Day 2: Tuesday, August 26

Round 1 continues, with morning lecture, and concerts morning, afternoon and evening
 

Day 3: Wednesday, August 27

Competition Round 2: Romantic with free morning to explore, and concerts afternoon and evening.
 

Day 4: Thursday, August 28

Round 2 continues, with morning concert, free afternoon to explore, and Alumni Gala concert in the evening with previous BISQC winners the Isidore String Quartet, and friends.
 

Day 5: Friday, August 29

Competition Round 3: Kati Agócs World Premiere, conversation with composer and BISQC director followed by all competitors performing this newly commissioned work, and Viennese Waltz Night*.
 

Day 6: Saturday, August 30

Competition Round 4: Beethoven/Schubert + 20th Century with morning, afternoon and evening concerts followed by a late evening announcement of the three finalists. 
 

Day 7: Sunday, August 31

Competition Round 5: Finals, afternoon concert with the three finalists presenting programming of their choice, followed by evening awards ceremony. 

 

*optional add-on event: see below for details

Audience Packages

With various package options and seat tiers to choose from, you can find your musical bliss at the 15th BISQC. 

On-Site Packages

Stay on-site in the comfort of Banff Centre’s hotels with full amenities, meals in our award-winning Vistas Dining Room, reserved seating to concerts, and built-in savings over individual item pricing. Hotels are centrally located on campus, surrounded by forest and mountain views making for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay as well as easy access between venues. 
 

Full Week Packages

(Sunday, August 24 – Monday, September 1, 2025)

Full week packages include:

  • Accommodation in one of Banff Centre’s hotels for the full week (8 nights)
  • Meals in Vistas Dining Room, including arrival day dinner and departure day breakfast*
  • Same reserved seat for all concerts throughout your package stay 
  • Access to all lectures and youth quartets masterclass
  • Welcome reception
  • Commemorative competition program booklet  
  • Use of on-site extensive fitness, aquatic, and recreation facilities

Tier A Seating:
Solo       $4,338.40
Duo       $6,390.94

Tier B Seating:
Solo       $4,043.17
Duo       $5,800.48


Weekend Packages

(Thursday, August 28 – Monday, September 1, 2025)

Weekend packages include:

  • Accommodation in one of Banff Centre’s hotels for the weekend (4 nights) 
  • Meals in Vistas Dining Room, including arrival day dinner and departure day breakfast*
  • Same reserved seat for all concerts throughout your package stay 
  • Access to all lectures
  • Commemorative competition program booklet  
  • Use of on-site extensive fitness, aquatic, and recreation facilities

Tier A Seating:
Solo       $2,554.85
Duo       $3,966.76

Tier B Seating:
Solo       $2,367.11
Duo       $3,591.28

 

Passport Packages

Tailored to our audiences who do not require accommodation or meals but still want to experience it all, a passport package includes reserved seating to all concerts and access to lectures with built-in savings over individual ticket pricing. 

Passport packages include:

  • Same reserved seat for all concerts throughout the event from Monday, August 25 to Sunday, August 31, 2025
  • Access to all lectures and youth quartets masterclass
  • Welcome reception
  • Commemorative competition program booklet
     

Tier A Seating:
$951.55

Tier B Seating:
$659.48

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: All package prices are in Canadian Dollars and inclusive of all taxes and fees. Extras such as Viennese Waltz Night or merchandise are not included in packages but will be available as optional add-on purchases during the on-line booking process. Duo package prices are for shared accommodation, plus the meals and tickets for two. Refund of 75% prior to July 1, and 50% prior to August 1. 

* Full-week packages do not include lunch on Wednesday, August 27 so you can enjoy time exploring the area 

New! Viennese Waltz Night

The splendor of Austria is coming to BISQC with a special evening of dancing, live music, desserts, and wine from the region on Friday, August 29.

Viennese Waltz Night starts with an afternoon group dance lesson so you can brush up on your steps before the gala. Change into your festive dress and enter our Austrian Palace later that evening for an enchanting experience complete with live music, dancing, regional wine and desserts.  

Limited ticket availability so don't hesitate to purchase as an optional add-on during your BISQC package booking request process.

 

Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria

Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria 

Exclusive Events

As a BISQC package purchaser you will have access to a masterclass with participants in our youth quartets program, as well as lectures with special guests. BISQC packages includes our full week and weekend on campus options, as well as our passport packages, unless otherwise noted.  

Subscribe for updates on 2025 BISQC Packages and all related event details.

Audience Excursions

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. 

Stay tuned for details on 2025 Audience Excursions.

For questions please contact:
Email: bisqc@banffcentre.ca
Phone: 403.762.6231
Lisa Ramsey, Manager
Jane Russell, Coordinator
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Box 1020, Stn. 23
Banff, Alberta
T1L 1H5 Canada