Sheila Bristow

Sheila Bristow is a composer, church musician, and collaborative keyboardist living in Tacoma, WA.  Her compositions are inspired by her love of poetic texts and the beauty of the human voice. Her choral works have been performed by Choral Union (Pacific Lutheran University), the Medieval Women's Choir, Opus 7, and Seattle Pro Musica. Recent choral works include Winter Solstice and At harbor, waiting for wind, both premiered by Harmonia Orchestra and Chorus. Harmonia also premiered her largest work to date, When Music Sounds for solo tenor, chorus, and orchestra, which was a finalist for the American Prize, Major Choral Works division. Current projects include a song cycle on the poetry of Harlem Renaissance writer, Angelina Weld Grimké; a suite for pipe organ based on the tune, “Fisk of Gloucester”; a choral mass; and a work for string orchestra and percussion inspired by the poetry of Paul Claudel.

Sheila received a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts, where she studied composition as a Kreielsheimer Scholar, and earned an MM in organ performance from the University of Washington. Her composition teachers include Bern Herbolsheimer, John Muehleisen, and Matthew Fuerst. She has received awards from the American Prize and Deus Ex Musica; artist residencies at Hypatia-in-the-Woods and the Sou’wester Lodge; and participated in workshops sponsored by Lehigh University, Vancouver Pro Musica, and Vancouver International Song Institute.

Sheila serves as Music Director & Organist at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Bainbridge Island, and is the keyboardist for Harmonia Orchestra and Chorus. She is also in demand as an opera accompanist and vocal coach. More information can be found at sheilagailbristow.com.