MKI Artists partners with
Banff International String Quartet Competition

“What Bayreuth is to Wagnerians… Banff is to insiders of the string quartet world.”
- The Strad

BISQC • (bisk) noun (est. 1983)

  1. acronym for Banff International String Quartet Competition

  2. renowned string quartet competition; presents the world’s best young quartets under the age of 35, vying for over over $500,000 in cash and prizes

  3. a triennial event, hosted by The Banff Centre since 1983, giving audiences an in-depth and behind-thes-cenes experience with the world’s premier up and coming quartets

15th Banff International String Quartet Competition
August 25 - 31, 2025

Tap into the Electric Atmosphere of the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition
This year, as a partnership between BISQC and MKI Artists, we are excited to offer an unparalleled opportunity for presenters to connect with the electrifying energy of BISQC. By committing to present the 2025 BISQC's first prize winner during their North American tours in the 2026-27 or 2027-28 seasons, you'll bring the forefront of chamber music innovation to your audiences.

Moreover, we invite you to experience BISQC as a special guest between August 25 - 31, 2025. Consider this your essential chamber music pilgrimage: bring a contingent of your board members and donors to Banff, and immerse yourselves in the high-stakes drama and exquisite performances that define this prestigious competition.

As the exclusive North American agency partner of BISQC, MKI Artists will ensure that the first prize winners will be primed for success and ready to captivate your audiences. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to fostering exceptional musical talent and ensuring that the legacy of great string quartets continues to thrive.

Don't miss the chance to be part of this extraordinary event and to feature the next generation of chamber music legends. We look forward to welcoming you to Banff, where together, we can witness the future of string quartets unfold.

About the Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC)
Recognized as one of the premier chamber music competitions in the world, the Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC) is a triennial event hosted by Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Since its inception in 1983, BISQC has given audiences an in-depth and behind-the-scenes look at the thrill and heartbreak of a live chamber music competition, while providing the world’s best young string quartets unparalleled exposure to concert presenters, managers, and broadcasters from North America and abroad.

About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity:
Founded in 1933, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a learning organization built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and creative development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become the global organization leading in arts, culture, and creativity across dozens of disciplines. From its home on Treaty 7 territory in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends the campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to society through cross-disciplinary learning opportunities, world-class performances, and public outreach.

Tour Periods

We are excited to announce the initial tour periods for the winner of the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition, proudly managed by MKI Artists. This is a unique opportunity for presenters to feature the emerging ensemble that will shape the future of chamber music.

We invite you to commit now to presenting the 2025 BISQC winner in performance during the following tour periods:

March 6-15, 2026
July 24-August 2, 2026
October 16-25, 2026
January 29-February 7, 2027

Additional dates will be added to accommodate growing interest and logistical needs. We are also open to exploring performance opportunities outside of these designated periods to align with scheduling requirements and to ensure that more audiences can experience the extraordinary artistry of the winning ensemble.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this thrilling journey. Commit today to presenting the future stars of chamber music and help us celebrate the transformative power BISQC!

Watch Music, Mountains, Magic!, an award-winning ACCESS TV documentary about the 1992 Banff International String Quartet competition, hosted by Andrew Dawes.

Scenic view of a mountain lake with turquoise water reflecting the surrounding snow-capped peaks and dense pine forest, under a partly cloudy sky at sunset.

Barry Shiffman, Director of BISQC

“For four decades Banff Centre has been shining a bright light on the world of chamber music, identifying the leading quartets of our time and working to support the launch of new careers”

The Strad

“What Bayreuth is to Wagnerians… Banff is to insiders of the string quartet world.”

Past Competitions

Since its inception in 1983, the Banff International String Quartet Competition has been a crucible for the world's most talented young string quartets. Known for its rigorous standards and high stakes, BISQC has helped launch the careers of some of the most prominent ensembles in chamber music today. From emerging talents to established masters, our competition has become synonymous with excellence and innovation in the string quartet realm.

  • August 29 - September 4, 2022 

    Laureates 
    Isidore String Quartet (USA) 
    Opus13 (Norway/Sweden) 
    Balourdet Quartet (USA) 

    Abeo Quartet (USA) 
    Animato Kwartet (The Netherlands/Norway) 
    Dior Quartet (Israel/USA/Korea-Canada/St. Lucia) 
    Karski Quartet (Poland/Belgium) 
    Quatuor Agate (France) 
    Terra String Quartet (USA/Venezuela/Iceland/Australia) 

    Commissioned Piece 
    Dinuk Wijeratne, The Disappearance of Lisa Gherardini 
    The Canadian Commission Prize, in honour of the R.S. Williams & Sons Company: Quatuor Agate (France) 

    The R.S. Williams & Sons Haydn Prize: Isidore String Quartet (USA) 
    Esterházy Foundation Prize: Isidore String Quartet (USA) 
    St. Lawrence String Quartet Prize at Stanford University: Isidore String Quartet (USA) 

    Competition Jury 
    Estelle Choi 
    James Ehnes 
    Juan-Miguel Hernandez 
    Barnabas Kelemen 
    Catherine Manson 
    Karoly Schranz 
    Sung-Won Yang 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Aaron Boyd 
    Andrew Wan 
    Andrew Yee

  • August 26 - September 1, 2019 

    Laureates 
    Marmen Quartet (UK) and Viano String Quartet (Canada/USA) - Southern Methodist University Peak Fellowship Ensemble-in-Residence Prize 
    Callisto Quartet (USA) - Creative residency at Banff Centre including coaching and mentorship opportunities 

    Eliot Quartett (Canada/Germany/Russia) 
    Omer Quartet (USA) 
    Quatuor Agate (France) 
    Quatuor Elmire (France) 
    Ruisi Quartet (UK) 
    Ulysses Quartet (Canada/USA/Taiwan) 
    Vera Quartet (Spain/USA) 

    Commissioned Piece 
    Matthew Whittall, Bright Ferment (String Quartet No. 2) 
    Canadian Commission Prize in honour of the R.S. Williams & Sons Company: Marmen Quartet (UK) and Viano String Quartet (Canada/USA) 

    R.S. Williams & Sons Haydn Prize: Marmen Quartet (UK) 
    Esterházy Foundation Prize: Marmen Quartet (UK) and Viano String Quartet (Canada/USA) 
    St. Lawrence String Quartet Prize at Stanford University: Marmen Quartet (UK) and Viano String Quartet (Canada/USA) 

    Competition Jury 
    Gillian Ansell 
    Martin Beaver 
    Adrian Fung 
    David Harrington 
    Nobuko Imai 
    Phillip Setzer 
    Ursula Smith 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Christopher Costanza 
    Jonathan Crow 
    Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt

  • August 29 - September 4, 2016 

    Laureates 
    Rolston String Quartet (Canada) 
    Tesla Quartet (Russia/South Korea/USA) 
    Castalian String Quartet (UK) 

    Aeolus Quartet (USA) 
    Argus Quartet (USA) 
    Omer Quartet (USA) 
    Quartet Arpa (Japan) 
    Quartet Berlin-Tokyo (Israel/Japan) 
    Ulysses Quartet (Canada/USA/Taiwan) 
    Verona Quartet (Canada/USA/Singapore) 

    Commissioned Piece 
    Zosha Di Castri, String Quartet No. 1 
    Canadian Commission Prize, in honour of the R.S. Williams & Sons: Tesla Quartet 

    R.S. Williams & Sons Haydn Prize: Tesla Quartet 
    Esterházy Foundation Prize: Rolston String Quartet 
    Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance Prize: Rolston String Quartet

    Competition Jury 
    Vera Beths 
    Denis Brott 
    Isabel Charisius 
    Yoshiko Nakura 
    Geoff Nuttall 
    Peter Salaff 
    Alasdair Tait 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Clive Greensmith 
    Douglas McNabney 
    Philip Setzer

  • August 26 - September 1, 2013 

    Laureates 
    Dover Quartet (USA) 
    Quatuor Cavatine (France) 
    Navarra Quartet (UK/Ireland/Netherlands) 

    Anima Quartet (Russia/China) 
    Attacca Quartet (USA) 
    Calidore String Quartet (USA/Canada) 
    Gemeaux Quartett (Switzerland) 
    Linden String Quartet (USA/Canada) 
    Noga Quartet (France/Israel) 
    Schumann Quartet (Germany) 

    Commissioned Piece 
    Vivian Fung, String Quartet No. 3 
    Canadian Commission Prize: Dover Quartet 

    Székely Prize for the performance of a Schubert quartet: Dover Quartet 
    R.S. Williams & Sons Haydn Prize: Dover Quartet 
    Esterházy Foundation Prize: Dover Quartet 

    Competition Jury 
    Miguel da Silva, viola (France) 
    András Fejér, cello (Hungary) 
    Kikuei Ikeda, violin (Japan) 
    Nicolas Kitchen, violin (USA) 
    Garth Knox, viola (Ireland) 
    Richard Lester, cello (UK) 
    Scott St. John, violin (Canada) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Norman Fischer, cello 
    Jerzy Kaplanek, violin 
    Roger Tapping, viola

  • August 30 - September 5, 2010 

    Laureates 
    Cecilia String Quartet (Canada) 
    Afiara String Quartet (Canada) 
    Quatuor Zaïde (France) 

    Amaryllis Quartet (Germany/Switzerland) 
    Asasello Quartet (Germany) 
    Atrium String Quartet (Russia) 
    Hausmann Quartet (USA) 
    Noga Quartet (France) 
    Peresson Quartet (USA) 

    Commissioned Piece 
    Ana Sokolovic, Commedia dell'arte 
    Canadian Commission Prize: Cecilia String Quartet 

    Székely Prize for the performance of a Beethoven or Schubert quartet: Afiara String Quartet 

    Competition Jury 
    Terrence Helmer, viola (Canada) 
    Erich Hobarth, violin (Austria) 
    Louise Hopkins, cello (UK) 
    Hsin-Yun Huang, viola (Taiwan/USA) 
    Joel Krosnick, cello (USA) 
    Tim Vogler, violin (Germany)
    Timothy Ying, violin (USA/Canada) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Denis Brott, cello 
    Ian Swensen, violin 
    Marka Gustavsson, viola

  • August 28 - September 2, 2007 

    Laureates 
    TinAlley String Quartet (Australia) 
    Zemlinksy Quartet (Czech Republic) 
    Ariel Quartet (USA/Israel) 

    Tokai Quartet (Canada) 
    Afiara String Quartet (Canada) 
    Attacca Quartet (USA) 
    Koryo String Quartet (USA) 
    Rubens Quartet (The Netherlands) 
    Rusquartet (Russia) 
    Talisker Quartet (Denmark) 

    Commissioned Piece 
    Kelly Marie Murphy, Dark Energy 
    Canadian Commission Prize: Koryo String Quartet (USA) 

    Székely Prize for the best performance of a Bartók quartet: Ariel String Quartet 

    Competition Jury 
    Henk Guittart, viola (The Netherlands) 
    Paul Katz, cello (USA) 
    Lesley Robertson, cello (Canada) 
    Gerhard Schulz, viola (Austria) 
    Mariana Sirbu, violin (Romania) 
    Simon Standage, violin (UK) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Christopher Costanza, cello 
    Heime Muller, violin 
    Daniel Phillips, violin

  • August 31 - September 5, 2004 

    Laureates 
    Jupiter Quartet (USA) 
    Ensō Quartet (USA) 
    Royal String Quartet (Poland) 

    Fry Street Quartet (USA) 
    Alma Quartet (France) 
    Carmel Quartet (Israel) 
    Matangi Quartet (Holland) 
    Penguin Quartet (Czech Republic) 
    Quince Quartet (United Kingdom) 
    Tokai String Quartet (Canada) 

    Commissioned Piece / Pièce de concert 
    Stewart Grant, String Quartet No. 2, Banff Variations 
    Best performance of the pièce de concert: Ensō Quartet Székely 

    Prize for the best performance of a Beethoven quartet: Jupiter Quartet 

    Competition Jury 
    Andrew Dawes, violin (Canada)
    Levon Chilingirian, violin (UK) 
    Sadao Harada, cello (Japan) 
    Philippe Muller, cello (France) 
    Barry Shiffman, violin/viola (Canada) 
    Sung-Won Yang, cello (South Korea) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Martin Beaver, violin 
    Keith Harvey, cello 
    Jean Sulem, viola

  • August 28 - September 2, 2001 

    Laureates 
    Daedalus Quartet (USA) 
    Kuss Quartet (Germany) 
    Delancey Quartet (USA) 

    Quatuor Satie (France) 
    Diabelli String Quartet (Canada) 
    Enso Quartet (USA) 
    Herold String Quartet (Czech Republic) 
    Penguin Quartet (Czech Republic) 
    Quartet Excelsior (Japan) 
    Quatuor Johannes (France) 

    Commissioned Piece / Pièce de concert 
    John Estacio, Test Run 
    Best performance of the pièce de concert: Daedalus Quartet 

    Székely Prize for the best performance of a Beethoven quartet: Daedalus Quartet 

    Competition Jury 
    Andrew Dawes, violin (Canada) 
    Lorand Fenyves, violin (Israel/Canada) 
    Keith Harvey, cello (UK) 
    Marina Hoover, cello (Canada) 
    Josef Kluson, viola (Czech Republic) 
    Katherine Murdock, viola (USA) 
    Donald Weilerstein, violin (USA) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    David Takeno, violin 
    Wolfgang Laufer, cello 
    Jean Sulem, viola

  • August 16 - 22, 1998 

    Laureates 
    Miró Quartet (USA) 
    Castagneri Quartet (France) 
    Belcea Quartet (UK) 

    Avalon Quartet (USA) 
    Amar Quartet (Switzerland) 
    Contempo String Quartet (Romania) 
    Quatuor Diotima (France) 
    Fry Street Quartet (USA) 
    Quatuor Johannes (France) 
    Quinten Quartet (Russia) 

    Commissioned Piece / Pièce de concert 
    Chan Ka Nin, String Quartet No. 3 
    Best performance of the pièce de concert: Miró Quartet 

    Competition Jury 
    Andrew Dawes, violin (Canada) 
    Stephanie Gonley, violin (UK) 
    Bonnie Hampton, cello (USA) 
    Geoffrey Nuttall, violin (Canada/USA) 
    Christoph Poppen, violin (Germany) 
    Dennis Simons, violin (Canada/UK) 
    Jean Sulem, viola (France) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Lorand Fenyves, violin 
    Paul Katz, cello 
    David Takeno, violin

  • August 27 - September, 1995 

    Laureates 
    Amernet Quartet (USA) 
    Everest Quartet (USA) 
    Henschel Quartett (Germany) 

    Montclaire Quartet (USA) 
    Cracovia String Quartet (Poland) 
    Eleonora String Quartet (Russia) 
    Maia Quartet (USA) 
    Minguet Quartett (Germany) 
    Quartetto Elisa (Italy) 
    Quartetto Foné (Italy) 

    Commissioned Piece / Pièce de concert 
    Heather Schmidt, Phantoms 
    Best performance of the pièce de concert: Henschell Quartett 

    Competition Jury 
    Andrew Dawes, violin (Canada) 
    Rostislav Dubinsky, violin (Russia/USA) 
    Břetislav Novotný, violin (Czech Republic) 
    Martha Strongin-Katz, viola (USA) 
    Gábor Takács-Nagy, violin (Hungary) 
    David Takeno, violin (Japan) 
    Georges Zeisel (France) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Lorand Fenyves, violin 
    Sydney Humphreys, violin 
    Dennis Simons, violin

  • April 19 - 25, 1992 

    Laureates 
    St. Lawrence String Quartet (Canada) 
    Ying Quartet (USA) 
    Amati Quartet (Switzerland) 

    Mandelring Quartet (Germany) 
    Amernet Quartet (USA) 
    Artaria Quartet of Boston (USA) 
    Quartetto Foné (Italy) – didn’t compete 
    Harrington Quartet (USA) 
    Quatuor Joachim (France) 
    Miami Quartet (USA) 

    Commissioned Piece / Pièce de concert 
    Marjan Mozetich, Lament in the Trampled Garden 
    Best performance of the pièce de concert: St. Lawrence String Quartet 

    Competition Jury 
    Earl Carlyss, violin (USA) 
    Andrew Dawes, violin (Canada) 
    Philip De Groote, cello (South Africa/UK) 
    Sandor Devich, violin (Hungary) 
    Jaroslav Karlovsky, viola (Czech Republic) 
    Julie Rosenfeld, violin (USA) 
    Milan Škampa, viola (Czech Republic) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Lorand Fenyves, violin 
    Jaroslav Karlovsky, viola 
    Martha Strongin Katz, violin/viola

  • April 2 - 8, 1989 

    Laureates 
    Quatuor Manfred (France) 
    Cassatt Quartet (USA) 
    Keller Quartet (Hungary) 

    Brindisi Quartet (England) 
    Augustine String Quartet (USA) 
    Beijing String Quartet (China/ Belgium) 
    Ludwig Quartet (France) 
    New Zealand String Quartet (New Zealand) 
    Sierra String Quartet (USA) 
    Westbrook String Quartet (USA) 

    Commissioned Piece / Pièce de concert 
    Allan Gordon Bell, Arche II 
    Best performance of the pièce de concert: Cassatt Quartet 

    Competition Jury 
    Serge Collot, viola (France) 
    Andrew Dawes, violin (Canada) 
    Sandor Devich, violin (Hungary) 
    Koichiro Harada, violin (Japan) 
    Martin Lovett, cello (England) 
    Scott Nickrenz, viola (USA) 
    Artur Paciorkiewicz, viola (Poland) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Zdenek Konicek, cello 
    Eugene Lehner, viola 
    Gerald Stanick, viola

  • April 13 - 19, 1986 

    Laureates 
    Franciscan Quartet (USA) 
    Carmina Quartet (Switzerland) 
    Lark Quartet (USA) 

    Cavani Quartet (USA) 
    Amati Quartet (Switzerland)
    Coull Quartet (England) 
    Debut Quartet (Canada) 
    Jagdish Mistry Quartet (England) 
    Quatuor Parisii (France) 
    Vanbrugh Quartet (England) 

    Commissioned Piece / Pièce de concert 
    John Hawkins, Three Archetypes 
    Best performance of the piéce de concert: Quatuor Parisii (France) 

    Competition Jury 
    Thomas Brandis, violin (Germany) 
    Andrew Dawes, violin (Canada) 
    Felix Galimir, violin (Austria) 
    Sidney Griller, violin (UK) 
    Raphael Hillyer, violin (USA) 
    Bretislav Novotny, violin (Czech Republic) 
    Jaap Schröder, violin (The Netherlands) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Thomas Rolston 
    Lorand Fenyves 
    Zoltan Szekely

  • April 24 - 30, 1983 

    Laureates 
    Colorado Quartet (USA) 
    Hagen Quartet (Austria) 
    Lydian Quartet (USA) 

    Mendelssohn Quartet (USA) 
    Eder Quartet (Hungary) 
    Vermillion String Quartet (USA) 
    Da Vinci Quartet (USA) 
    Manchester Quartet (USA) 
    Brodsky String Quartet (UK) 
    Harrington Quartet (USA) 

    Commissioned Piece / Pièce de concert 
    Harry Somers, Movement for String Quartet 
    Best performance of the pièce de concert: Lydian Quartet 

    Competition Jury 
    Ede Banda, cello (Hungary) 
    Andrew Dawes, violin (Canada) 
    Piero Farulli, viola (Italy) 
    Raphael Hillyer, viola (USA) 
    Emanuel Hurwitz, violin (UK) 
    Mischa Schneider, cello (USA) 

    Preliminary Jury 
    Thomas Rolston 
    Lorand Fenyves 
    Zoltan Szekely