Our Story

One Of The Top 100 Music Dealers Worldwide

Here Is Our Music Story

Rick & Elizabeth’s passion is to “Share Joy through Music” by providing their community with the best in instruments and music education. Plum Grove is based around the belief that anyone and everyone can enjoy the gift of music.
Plum Grove Team

"I first heard about Plum Grove through a friend, and I have always gone back for the low prices, friendly and quick service, and the wonderful quality of work." - Julie, Violist

Plum Grove was founded by

16 year old Rick Thacker in 2002

The violin had been a part of his life since he started private lessons at age three. He later added the viola and taught both for over a decade.

Rick's love for stringed instruments eventually led to his luthier certification from the Chicago School of Violin Making. He has built several fine instruments, including the violin he gifted to his wife, Elizabeth, on their wedding day. He has apprenticed with several world-class luthiers from the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers (AFVBM) and Violin Society of America (VSA) medal-winning luthiers.

 

Plum Grove Team

Rick Thacker

Class Photo Lesson Room Plum Grove Music

Plum Grove Music Education Center

Rick has been a member of many ensembles, most notably

Concertmaster for the Advanced Ensemble at the Chicago School of Violin Making

He currently conducts multiple string ensembles. He has received teacher training in the Suzuki Method and other pedagogy courses.

Plum Grove has been named one of the

Top 100 Music Dealers worldwide by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM.)

This prestigious honor ranks Plum Grove in the world's top 1% of music dealers. Plum Grove continues to serve Northwest Indiana, Chicagoland, and beyond with the most remarkable experience in musical instruments and education.

2022 NAMM Top 100 Dealer Awards

2022 Top 100 Dealer Award -NAMM

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Hours:

Monday -Friday: 2 PM - 8 PM

Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM

Sunday: Closed