Tom Suozzi to Chair Glen Cove's Morgan Park Summer Music Festival, as Marge Suozzi Retires

Marge Suozzi, who has chaired the Morgan Park Summer Music Festival for more than 50 years, is retiring, its executive board announced. Her son Tom Suozzi will succeed her.

Marge will continue to serve on the executive board as chairman emeritus and will organize the annual Young Performers Competition.

“Volunteers are the heart of Morgan Park Summer Music Festival,” Marge said, in a statement. “I can never thank them enough for all that they have done, both for me personally and for the festival.”

“It has been a fun and rewarding 55 years, but it is now time to pass the baton to the next generation,” she added.

The executive board voted unanimously to appoint Tom Suozzi to assume the chairmanship of Morgan Park Summer Music Festival.

“We thank my mother for her many years of dedication to MPSMF and I am thrilled to carry on this proud tradition of introducing generations to all genres of music – from American pops and jazz to swing, opera, ballet and more recently tribute bands like Beatlemania and Chicago,” Tom said. “I look forward to working with the entire MPSMF team as they continue their support for the festival.”

Marge Suozzi thanked the festival’s volunteers, whom she noted dedicated many hours to making the summer event a long-standing tradition.

Morgan Park Summer Music Festival just completed its 55th year of providing free concerts to the public. During that time the festival has grown from hosting one concert in the summer of 1959 to now offering concerts every weekend in July and August. Concerts were originally held under the park’s charming and iconic gazebo; however, this location proved to be inadequate for some of the larger concerts. Consequently, Marge and a team of volunteers raised the funds and oversaw the construction of a new stage that now serves as the Festival’s home venue. The planning and construction of the stage was funded entirely through private donations.

Tom Suozzi, an attorney and CPA, previously served as mayor of Glen Cove from 1993 to 2001 and as Nassau County Executive from 2002 to 2009. He is currently practicing law at Harris Beach Law Firm in Uniondale. As a member of the MPSMF Executive Board, Tom has provided advice and leadership in addressing financial and other issues facing the board. The board looks forward to working with Tom as he brings new leadership to one of the cultural gems of Glen Cove and of the wider Long Island community, according to a news release.

Morgan Park Summer Music Festival is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. The professional shows are completely funded through the generous donations that are received from businesses and individuals. Taxpayer money is not requested nor received to bring talent to the festival.

Photo:Photo: Marge Suozzi and Tom Suozzi. Photo courtesy of Tony Gallego of Gill Associates Photography.