Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra to return in Malverne

After a decade-long hiatus away from the village, the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra is set to return in Malverne next month thanks to the combined efforts of the Malverne Civic Association, Chamber of Commerce, Deputy Mayor Perry Cuocci, and Malvernite Joann Zappa.

Chamber president Kathi Monroe said that talks about having the Nassau Pops back in the village began this spring. “It was a really joint effort between Perry, myself, and the groups we belong to,” Monroe said. “We had to plan financially, but we’re happy to say that the Orchestra will be back in our village this summer.”

Founded in 1984, the Nassau Pops has featured guest vocalists, soloists and a popular repertoire that appeals to people of all ages. The group performs roughly 12 to 15 times throughout the year at different venues in Nassau County. The group also holds several benefit concerts for organizations such as the United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau.

“We’re super-excited to return to Malverne,” said Nassau Pops Maestro Louis Panacciulli, who is also the group’s co-founder. “We’ve played at just about every park in Nassau County, but Malverne’s park is one of the only places where we can perform on a cool summer afternoon.”

Panacciulli, of Franklin Square, noted that the trees and the greenery make it one of the more cozy environments that the group has performed in.

As vice president of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, Panacciulli regularly attends the county’s joint chamber meetings each month. During one of the recent chamber meetings, Panacciulli met with Malverne Chamber vice president Maria Casini, and they spoke about the idea of bringing Nassau Pops back to the village.

“We both thought it would be a great opportunity for the merchants to set up tables and share their businesses, too,” Panacciulli said. “Everyone’s really excited to see this come together.”

“It’s another opportunity for us to bring in multiple demographics for a fun afternoon,” Monroe said. “It’s always wonderful to bring people into the village, because it enhances the quality of life in Malverne. This particular event appeals to just about everyone, so we hope that Nassau Pops will be here for years to come.”

Nassau Pops will perform at Chester A. Reese Veterans Memorial Park under the gazebo on Church Street on August 4, at 3 p.m. The rain date is August 11.