Q & A: The LiCausi's of Farmingdale Music Center

At the you’re greeted with a twinkling door bell, a warm smile from the owners, and the creak of wooden floors where thousands of music students have walked before. This village landmark has anchored northern Main Street since 1922, before traffic lights existed in the village.

Recently it’s been modern technology, such as the store's new web site and QR (quick response) code phone app on the front door, that have been directing new music students from all over Long Island to the store.

What makes the Farmingdale Music Center different?
Valerie LiCausi: For us, it’s always been service above sales. We pride ourselves on our personalized service. We show kids how to take care of their instruments and answer their questions. We listen to the parents and match their children with our expert teachers. We’re the first introduction a student has to the world of music. We take that very seriously. We want the student to love what they are learning and love music the rest of their lives. We welcome special needs children to our programs and work with the parents and instructors to make those children have an exceptional experience. Children can take weekly piano, guitar, drums, electric bass, ukulele, flute, clarinet, all saxophones, oboe, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, French horn, violin, viola, cello, and bass, as well as voice lessons. I think parents understand the value of our services and that’s why we are the oldest music store on Long Island.

Why have you stayed in Farmingdale all of these years?
Frank LiCausi: From the time that my grandfather bought his home here in Farmingdale in 1923 and raised my father Al and then me, Farmingdale has remained a beautiful small town village with friendly citizens. My father attended all of the local schools and taught at the Bethpage School District for five years while also playing accordion and piano professionally. He opened the store in 1945 in our home. Our business has become a landmark in some ways along Main Street.

How is business in this economy?
Frank LiCausi: Business has been very good. We’ve really seen an uptick for the past year since we launched our web site. That has given us visibility all over Long Island and into Queens. We don’t spend any money at all on advertising. We’ve gained new clients from positive word-of-mouth to seeing our internet site. We’ve made the site very user-friendly with photos of our very talented teaching staff and positive comments from our loyal customers.

What is the best/worst thing about running a business on Main Street?
Valerie LiCausi: Having the visibility of being on Main Street is important. We’ve been here so long that everyone knows where to find us. As business owners, we enjoy being able to walk to the bank or a restaurant. We also enjoy sending our customers to other local establishments.

What is your busiest time of the year?
Frank LiCausi: Right now! In August we begin to see parents coming with their children to set up instrument rentals for their children’s upcoming school year. Our business extends from Queens all the way out to Riverhead.

What is the most rewarding part of being part of the Farmingdale community?
Valerie LiCausi: Since we’ve been here so many years, we get to know families and their children. We have students who have grown up and married and now they’re bringing their children to our store. It’s fun to see our students grow up and mature and see their musical talents flourish.

What is your most popular instrument lesson or rental?
Valerie LiCausi: Our guitar program is always very popular followed by piano and violin lessons. But we teach everything. Our most popular rental instruments are violin and any of the band instruments.

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