About Susan

Susan Sievert Messersmith grew up in a house filled with music. Her parents were church musicians (choral and organ), and her Mom played orchestral bass as well. At home, they also played duo-piano concerts.

During her conservatory years, she studied regularly with members of the Cleveland Orchestra, Ohio Chamber Orchestra, Music of the Baroque and more. In various summer music festivals, she attended lessons and masterclasses with renowned brass players from all over the world.

She was a member of the Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra from 1993 to 2007. In addition to her duties with the Charleston Symphony and CSO Brass Quintet, Ms. Messersmith has been an adjunct faculty member at Charleston Southern University since 1993 (where she teaches trumpet and directs the brass choir) and was a member and co-coordinator of the Spoleto Brass Quintet for many years.

In 2007, she decided to spend more time with family, and resigned from the CSO, though she can still often be seen on the stage playing extra and filling in when needed. She maintains a very busy freelancing and teaching schedule.

Susan’s Principal Instructors
  • James S. Darling, The Cleveland Orchestra
  • Mary Squire, Ohio Chamber Orchestra
  • Barbara Butler, Music of the Baroque
  • Michael Sachs, The Cleveland Orchestra
“Trumpeter Susan Messersmith provided a thrilling example of high, Baroque trumpeting, unequaled locally in recent years.”
Post and Courier, Charleston, SC

Where Susan has performed

In the summers she is a member of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, and the Wintergreen Performing Arts Summer Music Festival, both in Virginia.

She has performed with

  • the San Antonio Symphony
  • the Phoenix Symphony
  • the Rochester Philharmonic
  • the Jacksonville Symphony
  • the Canton (OH) Symphony
  • the Roanoke Symphony
  • the Wooster (OH) Symphony (with which she has also performed twice as soloist)
  • the Savannah Symphony
  • the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
  • the Hilton Head Orchestra