As an instructor, and eventually Director, at the New England Conservatory of Music, George Whitefield Chadwick played an important role in the development of a uniquely American musical style. Chadwick grew up in a musical home. Both his parents were amateur musicians, and Chadwick got his first musical instruction in piano and harmony from his brother. Not able to complete his studies at the New England Conservatory, because of money troubles, Chadwick taught at Olivet College and later moved to Germany to complete his musical studies. In 1892, two years after returning from Europe, Chadwick took a post as instructor in harmony and composition at the New England Conservatory. He also became the organist at Boston's South Congregational Church; a post he held for 17 years. In his spare time he composed works like the Symphony No. 3, which won him a prize from the National Conservatory in New York. After becoming Director of the Conservatory in 1897 - a post he held for the rest of his life - Chadwick instituted some noteworthy changes, reforming the curriculum and organizing an opera workshop and a student orchestra. Chadwick was much in demand as a conductor, appearing frequently with U.S. orchestras. Even with all this activity, he still managed to compose; among his most popular works are the four Symphonic Sketches and the Tam O'Shanter Overture. He eventually produced five operas, three symphonies, five string quartets, and a variety of other orchestral and chamber works. Chadwick was much honored during his lifetime. As early as 1897 he received an honorary degree from Yale University; eight years later he received another from Tufts College. In 1928, he was presented a gold medal by the Academy of Arts and Letters. And in 1930 a pair of music festivals marked the fiftieth anniversary of his return to the United States from his European studies. He died the following year.