14th Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC)
August 29-September 4, 2022
Banff’s renowned triennial chamber music competition looks to be perfectly timed for musicians and audiences to celebrate life post-COVID. The 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC) will take place from August 29 to September 4, 2022 at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The competition gives audiences an in-depth and behind-the-scenes look at a live chamber music competition as 10 of the world’s best young string quartets vie for over $500,000 CAD in cash, prizes and opportunities.
In addition to generous cash prizes, the laureate quartets are offered residency opportunities at the Banff Centre and, for the first prize laureates, a custom-designed three-year artistic and career development program which includes the Southern Methodist University Peak Fellowship Ensemble-in-Residence Prize, a 2-year paid residency worth $200,000 CAD, an Esterházy Foundation Residency with concerts at Haydn Hall in Eisenstadt and the Lucerne Festival, as well as an opportunity for a 2 week Chamber Music in Residency as part of the prestigious Britten Pears Young Artists’ Programme in England.
Chamber Music Kelowna is a loyal friend of BISQC, and we have been honoured to be included in the performance itineraries of many past BISQC laureates. In fact, our upcoming April 29 concert features the co-laureates of the 2019 competition, the Viano String Quartet, giving our subscribers a window into the extraordinary talent and musical ability of the BISQC competitors.
This year’s BISQC performances will take place in a newly revitalized and renovated venue, the Jenny Belzberg Theatre, which will provide music lovers with “much improved sight lines, seats and acoustics.” In addition to the ten competing string quartets, there will be special performances with pianist Marc-André Hamelin, and violinist James Ehnes in concert with both the Marmen and Viano Quartets. Other special guests include American vocal sensation Davóne Tines, and the exceptionally creative PubliQuartet.
Several of our board members are planning on attending this year as members of the BISQC’s resident audience. Ticket and accommodation packages are now on sale through the event website. We hope to see you there!
Lorna Higdon-Norrie