Tom Rolston and the Székely/Rolston Young Musicians Program

May 2010: The Banff Centre is deeply saddened by the passing of Tom Rolston, who for nearly 40 years shaped the course of Music programs at The Banff Centre. Tom's legendary ability to see the potential in every young musician inspired generations of artists. We extend our deepest sympathies to Tom's family , and to his many friends and colleagues across Canada and around the world.

Earlier In 2010 Tom, together with his wife Isobel, partnered with the Székely family and created the Székely/Rolston Young Musicians program.

I’m ready to donate to the Székely/Rolston Young Musicians program.

More about the Székely/Rolston Young Musicians Program

Tom Rolston’s impact on The Banff Centre spans four decades of his musically rich and accomplished life. It was his vision that initially positioned The Centre as a unique learning environment for musicians to expand their artistic insights through interaction with distinguished visiting artists and with each other.

It all began in 1965 when the director of the Banff School of Fine Arts, Senator Donald Cameron, invited Tom to teach at The Banff Centre. The year before, Tom had worked at a summer music school run by the provincial government at the Banff Elementary School.

When he came to Banff, Tom was concertmaster and associate conductor of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and a professor at the University of Alberta where he remained until 1979. He was also founder of the University of Alberta String Quartet (1969) and had introduced the Suzuki method of violin instruction to Canada, starting the Society for Talent Education in 1964.

Over the years, Tom began shaping summer music programs at The Banff Centre, gradually expanding and raising the quality of what was being done so that Banff “became more and more professional and artistic,” Tom said. He determined that money and supportive infrastructure were needed to “free” the artists and to attract high-quality musicians.

It is with this same vision that Tom, together with his wife Isobel, partnered with the Székely family and created the Székely/Rolston Young Musicians program. This new initiative, launched in 2010, will inspire and celebrate the next generation of great chamber music, by creating a special, welcoming and affirming experience for young chamber ensembles as part of the Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC).

The Székely/Rolston Young Musicians will attend the Banff International String Quartet Competition and will be celebrated as part of the event. They will join the resident audience and, depending on their interests, they will have the opportunity to be coached by special BISQC guests, many of whom are the leading musicians of our time.

Contributions in celebration of Tom Rolston’s legacy, to the
Székely/Rolston Young Musicians program are greatly appreciated.

I’m ready to donate to the Székely/Rolston Young Musicians program.