For nearly 40 years, the Banff International String Quartet Competition has celebrated the art of chamber music while providing career support for emerging string quartets. Intended as a one-time special event, the first competition was held in 1983 to mark the 50th anniversary of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The outstanding success of the first competition inspired organizers to make this a triennial event.

In 2017, the Banff International String Quartet Festival commenced in non-competition years.  This intimate weekend concert experience offers beautifully curated opportunities to hear laureates from the competitions in unique collaborations with other world-renowned musicians.

The Competition is committed to fostering career development with competition laureates through touring, residencies, coaching, collaborations, and recordings, as well as supporting opportunities for youth with mentoring programs.

All of these activities – competition, festival and career development – aim to provide opportunities for musicians and audience alike, inspired by the beautiful setting of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in the Canadian Rockies.

BISQC is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions and is widely recognized among the top events of its kind.

Recordings of all 2022 BISQC Competition Concerts are now online at the following YouTube link – https://www.youtube.com/c/thebanffcentre/playlists