Morgan Park Summer Music Festival Launches Annual Appeal

Morgan Park Summer Music Festival launched its 2014 fundraising campaign recently with a working luncheon at Nassau Country Club.  

More than 20 volunteers, including Glen Cove Mayor Reggie Spinello, gathered to personally sign hundreds of letters requesting donations to enable the group to continue its mission of bringing free family concerts to the park each summer weekend.  The organization's work is carried out entirely by volunteers.  

The concerts presented are supported by private and business donations; no taxpayer money is requested or received.

This year’s season of 11 concerts will provide a rich variety of professional entertainment designed to appeal to all musical tastes.  

“I am very excited that we are able to bring back some of our popular acts from the past, as well as new shows that we hope will be enjoyed by all," said Marge Suozzi, executive board chairwoman. "Our 55th summer of music in the park promises to be the most exciting season yet.” 

The season begins on Sunday, July 6, with the return of Swingtime Big Band, a 20-piece authentic swing band playing some of America’s greatest popular standards.  

On Saturday, July 12, the winners of this year’s Young Performers Competition will delight audiences with their exceptional talent.  

Many of the past winners of this competition have gone on to have very rewarding and successful musical careers. Completing the evening’s entertainment is a showing of the evocative film “NY Export: Opus Jazz,” conceived by New York City Ballet dancers Ellen Bar and Sean Suozzi and featuring an ensemble cast of New York City Ballet dancers. Sunday, July 13 brings Plaza Productions’ rendition of the smash Broadway hit “Young Frankenstein” to the park.  

This summer will also feature tribute bands performing the songs of The Beatles on July 20, Chicago on Aug. 3 and Queen on Aug. 31.  On July 19, the Oldham Youth Orchestra, Brass and Wind Bands from Oldham, England, will make a return visit to the Summer Music Festival.  

Rescheduled from last summer the U.S. Navy Band will take to the Morgan Park stage on July 27 for an evening of patriotism and Americana. Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, a Grammy winning jazz orchestra will perform on Aug. 10 and Ian Petillo’s Legacy Jazz Band will make a return appearance to the stage on August 17.  Irish eyes will be smiling on Glen Cove on Aug. 24 as Andy Cooney and his Irish Band delight audiences with an evening of traditional Irish music.

Morgan Park Summer Music Festival encourages young artists and provides cultural enrichment to the entire Long Island community.  The concerts are free and all are welcome to attend.  It is only through the generosity of the public that the Festival is able to provide such a diverse and talented level of entertainment year after year.  All donations are gratefully accepted.  Make checks payable to Morgan Park Summer Music Festival.  They may be mailed to MPSMF, Post Office Box 296, Glen Cove, NY, 11542.  

For more information, call 516-671-0017, email morganparkmusic@yahoo.com or visit www.morganparkmusic.org. Morgan Park Summer Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) organization; donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.