An important American violinist and composer, George Frederick Bristow was born in New York. Bristow’s father was a noted musician who was George’s first teacher. George Bristow became a violinist of the New York Philharmonic at the age of 17 and was later appointed the orchestra’s concertmaster. In the 1850 Bristow assumed position of conductor of two important choral organizations: the New York Harmonic Society and the Mendelssohn Union. Bristow’s contribution to the American choral music is very significant, that makes him a historically outstanding choral composer.