Episode 539 – How Gravel Museum Is Bridging the Gap Between Rock and Classical | Brad Thachuk & Steve Thachuk

In this week’s episode of the podcast, I sit down with two legends of the rock and classical music worlds, conductor Brad Thachuk and guitarist Steve Thachuk.

Brad and Steve are the founders of Gravel Museum Music, an organization dedicated to preserving the rich legacy of rock music in the concert hall by presenting the repertoire with full symphony orchestra and dynamic arrangements. 

Some of Gravel Museum’s shows include The Music of Phil Collins & Genesis, Classic Rock Radio, Deep Purple Rising, and Symphonically Hip. 

Both Brad and Steve have PhDs in music as well as other impressive credentials. 

Brad is the music director of the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, the conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s BPO Rocks! series, and a lecturer in Orchestral Literature at the world-renowned Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

As for Steve, he is the head of guitar studies at Cal State Northridge in Los Angeles, and has appeared in recitals as a chamber musician and soloist with orchestras throughout North America and Europe.

In this episode, the brothers and I discussed their amazing music career, how they went from classical music to rock back to classical again, why working in a record store was so important later in their careers, the massive prep time required for a show, how Steve worked his way through graduate school by winning guitar competitions, and more.

Are you ready to meet these legends?

Then tune in now.

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The Gravel Museum orchestra (01:38)

Creating a new show (10:22)

Brad and Steve’s background (15:06)

How orchestras survive (27:54)

One last question (40:23)

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Steve’s work: https://www.steventhachuk.com/ 

Learn more about Brad’s work: https://www.bradleythachuk.com/ 

Learn more about Gravel Museum Music: https://www.gravelmuseum.com/ 

Get 15 quick solutions to common mix problems with my Mix Fix Playbook: https://go.bobbyowsinski.com/mixfix

Check out my best-selling books: https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/ 

Discover more mixing courses: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/ 

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In this podcast, music guru Bobby Owsinski shares his personal insights on the music industry, covering news, reviews, analysis, and tips, as well as offering amazing interviews with prominent industry movers and shakers.