If you’ve got a little diva, rocker or rapper in the house, you’re gonna want to know about this. This week, The Chord Club powered by Billboard, a state of the art recording studio, recreational music school and private event space opens on the Upper East Side, and it’s ready to help your budding musician (or DJ or producer) rock out no matter how young, whether it’s at a class, lesson or off the hook birthday party.
photo: Andreas Poupoutsis
The Chord Club Basics
The brainchild of NYC mom Theresa Scotto, The Chord Club started as a pop-up party planning service in a Midtown Manhattan recording studio. Now Scotto and music industry mag Billboard have teamed up to launch The Chord Club.
This is no kiddie version of a recording studio; it’s the real deal. Designed under the creative direction of professional sound engineers, the 5,700-square-foot facility contains two large recording studios, private classrooms and a sun-lit event space. While the venue will be hosting classes for kids as young as five months old, it’s also where adult musicians could cut a track if they so desired.
photo: Andreas Poupoutsis
Just for Babes & Toddlers
The Chord Club will offer classes for kids of all ages and commitment levels, taught by professional New York City musicians and child educators. Its version of “Mommy & Me” music classes, “Chord Club Early Rockers” are offered for kids ages five months to five years old, and explore a new genre of music each week (as found on the Billboard charts) such as pop, rock, country, heavy metal and beyond. Billboard Babies Unplugged features singlongs to acoustic tunes of the kiddie classic and Hot 100 variety; Shake, Rattle & Roll introduces movement to the singing of Billboard classics, and Little Rockers Jam finds a live band backing the tiny musicians. Free trial classes are available the week of October 5 and classes start the week of October 12! Read more about Chord Club Early Rockers here.
photo: Andreas Poupoutsis
For the Bigger Kids
For budding MCs, DJs, divas and singer/songwriters, The Chord Club is ready to help them take things to the next level. DJ classes are available for 7-17 year olds; kids five and up can take learn guitar alongside other players and play together in “Guitar Jam”, and budding singer/songwriters eight years old and up can learn the basics of crafting a tune, vocal technique and stage presence in the singer/songwriter club. Many classes include a final show or recital at the end of the semester. For ages 10 and up, Pop Star Studio 101 can help aspiring Taylors, Nickis and Drakes develop and refine solo and group live performance.
(If your child is more the Quincy Jones/Lucious Lyon impresario-type, The Chord Club offers classes in Foundation in Music Business and Music Production.) Find info on classes for older kids here. Free trial classes are available the week of October 5, and classes start the week of October 12.
photo: Andreas Poupoutsis
Lessons from Beginner to Pro
The Chord Club also offers good old fashioned lessons for those just starting out or more accomplished musicians. Lessons 45 or 75 minutes in length are available for guitar, bass, voice and piano for both individuals and groups.
photo: Andreas Poupoutsis
Party Hard at the Chord Club
Maybe it’s just us, but we think even the most jaded of New York kids would think a party at The Chord Club is pretty cool. With party packages starting for kids as young as five years old, themes include “Mini Pop Star”, “Girls Rock”, “Hip-Hop Blowout” and “Open Mic.” Parties find kids in the studio recording favorite songs with vocal coaches and engineers, and then reveling in the Party Lounge after.
All the basics of a kids’ party are included, such as pizza, balloons, decor, paper goods, custom water bottles, and more, and add-ons ranging from adult food options, a step and repeat red carpet set up (!) and cakes, to a graffiti artist, face painter and spray-on tattoos are available as well. Rates are for 15 guests and celebrant. Read more about parties here.
Which party would your kid love to throw at The Chord Club? Tell us in the comments below!
—Mimi O’Connor
Need some fresh ideas?
Related reads
