Members of the Cecilia String Quartet are, from left, Caitlin Boyle (viola), Sarah Nematallah (violin), Rebecca Wenham (cello) and Min-Jeong Koh (violin). The group placed first at the 2010 Banff International String Quartet Competition. (Laura Vanags/Banff Centre)

Toronto ensemble Cecilia String Quartet emerged triumphant over the weekend, snagging the top prize at the 10th Banff International String Quartet Competition.

A packed, enthusiastic crowd at the Banff Centre's Eric Harvie Theatre watched early Sunday evening as Cecilia Quartet's Sarah Nematallah (violin), Rebecca Wenham (cello), Min-Jeong Koh (violin) and Caitlin Boyle (viola) captured the $25,000 first prize.

"With a stunning spirit of creativity that consistently celebrated risk-taking and discovery, the Cecilia Quartet impressed the distinguished jury above all others," competition executive director Barry Shiffman said in a statement.

The ensemble's win also includes a North American and European tour scheduled for 2011-2012, a residency at the Banff Centre, in part to produce a new album, and a quartet of custom bows by renowned Quebecker Francois Malo.

The often brilliantly clad group also earned the $2,000 Canadian Commission Prize for the best performance of this year's specially commissioned work by Canadian composer Ana Sokolovic.

The competition spanned nearly a week of juried concerts that featured music from the classical, romantic and contemporary repertoire.

Fellow Canadian ensemble Afiara String Quartet, which is based in New York, landed the $12,000 second-place spot, as well as the $3,000 Szekely Prize, which is awarded for the best performance of a Beethoven or Schubert piece during the competition's fourth round.

France's Quatuor Zaide earned the $8,000 third place prize.

The Banff competition, held every three years and attracting young and accomplished musicians from all over the world, was founded in 1983 as a way to boost the careers of young and emerging classical artists.