The String & Horn Shop has provided quality string instruments to Central and Southeast Texas since 1979. We are conveniently headquartered in Bryan/College Station and we are announcing the opening of our Austin location in the Lincoln Village Shopping Center at the corner of IH - 35 and U.S. 290 - Suite 1807. Our newest location offers easy access to a full service store.

As a family-owned business, our top priority is you - and that means more personal service. As part of our routine service, we make weekly visits to area schools for instrument pickup and delivery.

We maintain a rich inventory of name-brand instruments, which insures quality and consistency of sound. Our goal is to provide quality instruments at a reasonable price to enable more people to learn the joy of playing musical instruments.If you buy an instrument from our store, you are guaranteed a substantial discount - up to 30 percent off retail for new instruments.

Susan Rieger

Susan Rieger, the co-owner of The String and Horn Shop with husband Paul, grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa. She took an early interest in playing the cello. This interest led to her attending Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri. There she studied under the guidance of Anne Schaffner. She furthered her musical career by transferring to the University of Texas in Austin. At U.T. she studied cello under Phyllis Young, and graduated with a Bachelor's in Music Education in 1989.

Susan accepted an orchestra teaching position in the Bryan Independent School District in 1990 and taught for five years at Sam Rayburn Middle School.

In 1994, Susan and her husband Paul were married. That same year they purchased The String and Horn Shop from violin maker Bradley Bowman. Susan has continued teaching the cello on a private level to students throughout the Brazos Valley. As the proprietor for an independent music store, she has gathered a worldwide knowledge of resources available to the musician, whether it be the beginner or the professional.

Paul Rieger

After obtaining his degree in 1987 from Texas A&M University in College Station, Paul has gained valuable national and international business experience. Mr. Rieger worked briefly in Germany before returning to the U.S. to pursue other interests. He worked in the communications field throughout the United States for approximately 10 years before acquiring The String and Horn Shop. This business experience has been instrumental in shaping the growth of The String and Horn Shop.

Paul met his wife Susan in 1992. After marrying in 1994 they have worked together to build The String and Horn Shop from a small local music shop to a regional leader in Texas. "We have positioned ourselves in the marketplace through tenacious hard work and personal service to our customers" said Paul, and "we have a committed, knowledgeable staff that is second to none in regards to taking care of customers."

Paul and Susan have four children, Taylor (12), Chase (10), Alexandra (8), and Luke (1). Mr. Rieger serves on the pastoral council at St. Joseph Catholic Church and has served on several boards such as The Children's Museum, Arts Council and others in the Bryan/College Station area. He is active in local and national politics. He is also a volunteer coach for local high school and Little League baseball.

Rachel Cook

Rachel Cook joined The String and Horn Shop staff in September 2007 in the position of manager. Rachel is an experienced string teacher and brings valuable organizational skills to the team.

Rachel has played the violin for over 20 years. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email her at rcook@stringandhornshop.com.

Clayton Wuensche

Clayton Wuensche, who grew up in the small town of Lexington, Texas, took an early interest in "instrument engineering." As early as age 11, he began to show an interest in breaking down instruments (including his own horn) to the component parts "just to see what makes them tick." Clayton's training began when his band teacher sat him down one day to show him how repair was done.

After playing the tuba in the Lexington High School band and continuing to tinker with repair of instruments, Clayton notes (tongue in cheek) that "something went terribly wrong" and a hobby turned into a career.

Clayton was soon off to Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City, Iowa, where he was formally trained in all aspects of band repair under the guidance of Rod Siljenberg. Upon graduation Clayton opened his own repair shop, but decided he needed to further his education and hone his technical skills. He went to work with several well-established repair technicians around the state of Texas, accruing a wider knowledge and experience base.

Clayton put down roots in the Brazos Valley (Bryan/College Station) in 1998 and has been at The String and Horn Shop since that time. Clayton has built the shop into one of the best repair shops in central and southeast Texas. Clayton has also built up the shop from a one man operation to a staff of three repair technicians. He and his staff gladly welcome any repairs, from the smallest adjustment to the semi-haul.

Clayton is married to Christin. They have one son, Patrick. Clayton can be reached via email at claytonwuensche@stringandhornshop.com or by calling the store at 979-779-8548 or 800-613-9954.

Harold Turbyfill

Harold Turbyfill, the string repairman at The String and Horn Shop, received bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He retired in June of 2000 after teaching orchestra for 35 years in public school programs in North Carolina, Tennessee, and - for the last 22 years - in Bryan, Texas. Mr. Turbyfill was asked in the fall of 2001 to join the faculty of Sam Houston State University as an adjunct professor to teach violin, viola, and string methods classes.

Mr. Turbyfill's other vocation is that of string repair person. While employed with the Bryan ISD, he also repaired the district's string instruments. Upon retiring, he was hired by The String and Horn Shop of Bryan, Texas, as it's string repair person. He is now busy repairing instruments and bows for surrounding school systems, Sam Houston State University, and various individuals. Mr. Turbyfill is a Texas Music Adjudicator Association judge and is an active orchestral clinician and guest conductor.

In August of 2002, he presented a string instrument maintenance clinic at the Texas Orchestra Director's Association convention in San Antonio. This presentation led to the subsequent publication of a maintenance manual designed for classroom teachers. The publication "Basic String Maintenance: A Teacher's Guide" is available on this website or through contacting the American String Teacher Association (ASTA).

Harold is now in strong demand as a presenter/clinician on instrument maintenance and is directing his energies educating string teachers on this subject. Harold is available for "hands - on" maintenance workshops. He may be contacted at haroldturbyfill@stringandhornshop.com or contact the store at 979-779-8548 or 800-613-9954.

Phillip Ischy

Phillip Ischy is our Educational Sales Representative.