School District of Washington Orchestras

Welcome to the SDOW Orchestra homepage! The orchestra program in our district has had a long lifespan and continues to grow from year to year. Enrollment this year involves close to 200 students district-wide. The goal of the directors is to facilitate a love for music for all different types of music. We focus on teaching students from where they are, growing the strength of the program from the inside out.

Boasting 6 different orchestras, the orchestras perform in a large number of events, both for the parents and for the community. Many students participate in private lessons, orchestras outside of the school day, and create their own ensembles.

The purpose of this site is to provide members of our program with a one-stop-shop for information, right at your fingertips! Please do not hesitate to contact either director if you have questions at any time!

Your Directors

Meghan Brueggemann is in her 15th year of teaching in Washington. Meghan was part of many orchestras in her school years, participating in her school orchestra program, St. Louis All-Suburban Orchestra, Webster University Community Music School Orchestras, and the E. Desmond Lee orchestra each year.

Meghan attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO and studied violin under Dr. Brandon Christensen. During her college years, Meghan was a member of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra in Paducah, KY, the Southeast Missouri State Symphony Orchestra, several chamber ensembles, and also played for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra two times when it visited Cape Girardeau. She graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, and moved to Washington, MO to begin her career with Washington. Meghan completed her Master's Degree at MIZZOU in 2020. She adds Master of Science - Technology in Schools to her resume.

Meghan resides in Washington, MO with her 2nd grade daughter, Lillian.      
Contact: Meghan Brueggemann

Dr. Susie Thierbach is an active violin performer and teacher in the St. Louis area. She received her Bachelors at Illinois Wesleyan University, her Masters from Missouri State University, and earned a Doctor of Arts in Violin Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado where she studies under Richard Fuchs.

In addition to her role in the Washington School District, Susie spends a lot of time playing in various freelance orchestras throughout the area, including in the pit at Union Avenue Opera and The Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis, where she has served as concertmaster for many years.

In addition to her violin, Susie spends a lot of time working in the family orchard. She and her husband, Otto, operate Thierbach Orchards and Berry Farm in Marthasville, MO, a destination farm for those who enjoy picking their own fruit. Susie and Otto along with ther kids, Elise and Wesley, love to see other music lovers visiting the orchard.
Contact: Susie Thierbach