Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music in Brooklyn, NY 11217

Founded in 1897, the Brooklyn/Queens Conservatory of Music has been serving the New York musical community for over a century. The Conservatory has the distinction of being one of the oldest and largest community music schools in the nation.

The two schools, one nestled in a completely restored five-story Victorian Gothic mansion in the heart of historic Park Slope, Brooklyn, and the other in a newly renovated building in Flushing, Queens, serve as comprehensive music centers for nearly 2000 students of all ages and backgrounds.

The Conservatory offers Music Adventures, a music and movement program for children from the age of 18 months to six years old. Private instruction is available in piano, guitar, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, and most other orchestral instruments. For a modest additional fee, children can also round out their education with group classes in music skills or by participating in the Conservatory's Children's Chorus.

Other class offerings include the Pre-teen Saxophone Ensemble/Pre-teen Clarinet Ensemble, for young musicians (ages 9-12) interested in playing music and building their technical skills; Teen Jazz & Gospel Chorus for kids ages 13-19; Teen Rock Ensemble; and African Djembe Drumming.

Children ages four to nine can sign up for Suzuki violin or piano lessons. The Conservatory's Orff Ensemble class introduces singing, movement, speech, improvisation, and the playing of pitched and un-pitched percussion, as well as recorder, to children ages seven to nine.

Children's birthday parties can be held at the Brooklyn location of the Conservatory. Parties include use of the auditorium for two hours, tables, and chairs. Best of all, the party features a "Music Adventures" teacher conducting a sample 45-minute class using musical instruments, singing, and dancing. Children sing, clap, dance, play instruments and use their imagination in stories and movement games. Each party is tailored to your child's interest. You bring the cake and paper goods.

The Conservatory also hosts "Music for Families," a series of family-friendly music performances.