Open House Let's Kids Play With Instruments At Rockland Music Conservatory (VIDEO)

It was called a petting zoo, but there were no food pellets, strong odors or even animals.

No, this was an instrument petting zoo. A variety of instruments were laid out in one room and kids were allowed to pick them up and play around with them. For the Rockland Music Conservatory, it was an engaging way of saying hi.

“We’re in a new place and really wanted to show people what we do,” said Conservatory Executive Director Marigene Kettler. “We’re really anxious to show off the new space.”

The Conservatory, located at 45 S. Main St., after spending the previous 50-plus years in Spring Valley. Kettler said they never did the instrument petting zoo at the Spring Valley location, and added that she thinks it’ll become something they do a few times each year.

“We want to let the kids play around with the different instruments and see if they’re drawn to something,” she said. “We have ongoing registration, so if they like something, they can sign up for one-on-one lessons right away if they want.”

The Conservatory offers individual and group lessons in a variety of instruments, choir, a few different ensembles, and more.

“We have options for people of all ages, from beginners to those who played an instrument but haven’t picked it up in years and want to re-learn to play,” Kettler said.

At the open house, the instruments people could try included a piano, cello, trombone, violin, guitar and flute. Many kids tried a few different instruments. Melissa Grubb was with her two kids at a park Thursday early evening when another mom who told her about the open house.

Grubb, of Montvale, was surprised to learn the school, which she hadn’t previously heard of, was just a few minutes from her house. She was even more surprised to see just how much how kids enjoyed the open house.

“Who doesn’t like music?” Grubb said. “I think every child would like to pick up an instrument and play around, but to get a chance to try out so many different instruments is great.

Charlotte, 3, and Liam, 5, spent more than an hour playing around, with Charlotte taking to the cello and trombone, and Liam spending a lot his time with the violin and trombone.

“In this setting, the kids aren't intimidated by how big or shiny the instruments are,” Grubb said. “This was an amazing idea, and without it I might’ve never known how much they would like to play.”

She added that she definitely thinks both of her kids will return for lessons, although she wasn’t sure for what instruments yet. With Liam, she was thinking violin lessons because that’s where he spent most of time Thursday night, and she would take the lessons with him because she has always wanted to learn how to play as well. After trying out a variety of instruments, Charlotte said she’d like to continue with the trombone most.

Tala Atkinson, 6, spent a good deal of time playing the piano. Her dad, Robert Atkinson, said he’s shown her how to play a little bit. He also plays guitar, and he’s shown her a bit of that as well, and said she seems to have a natural talent with instruments. He added he thinks she’ll probably take lessons at the Conservatory, but didn’t know for what instrument.

“At home I’ve shown her things like chord progressions on the piano,” he said. “I only have to show her like one time and she’s got it down already. She just has an ear for it.”

Download the movie