The Board of Directors of the Corporation includes:
Jonathan Hunkins
Holland Goddard
Amanda Mason
Dr. George Biffer
Jessica Newtown
Dr. Peter McCoy
Joseph M. Liotta
Officers:
Joseph M. Liotta, President - series contact:Joe Liotta
Amanda Mason, Vice President
Dr. Peter McCoy, Treasurer
Holland Goddard, Secretary
Andy Van Duyne, Technical Director
The full and formal name is THE NORWOOD VILLAGE GREEN CONCERT SERIES. It is a program of the Norwood Village Green Concert Series, Inc., a non-profit organization founded to “impact our home communities via inspiring and spirit-uplifting out door performances”. There is no admission charged. There is a “pass the bucket”. It was conceived and co-founded by Joseph and Harriet Liotta in 1974. The series anticipates hosting its 750,000 audience member and presenting its 818th event in 2024.
The Series prides itself in its programming for children and youth and its long history of giving opportunity for student musician performances. It always tries to present its offerings in the spirit of community whether the performer is the beginning student or the internationally recognized super-star artist.
The Series networks and works in co sponsorship with many local civic organizations and groups. All outdoor programs are presented on the Liotta Band Shell on the Norwood Village Green. The facility was dedicated on September 25, 1975 as a major gift in recognition of the Bicentennial of the American Revolution. Since 1991 several occasional indoor concerts and artist-in-residencies for Norwood-Norfolk students have been initiated. Unique to this series in Northern New York are the international performers it presents. In 2024 the countries to be represented include China, Korea, Chile, and Bangladesh. Over the years the series has presented groups from New Zealand, Russia, Albania, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Mali, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Colombia, Peru, Honduras, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Canada, the Mohawk Nation, Spain, Cuba, India, and beyond. Also unique to series it has presented many forms of dance, children’s programing, magic shows, puppetry, and many other arts genres. It is the most diverse outdoor concert series in Northern New York State. With the addition of its 2026 performers it has presented 33 Grammy recipients and 5 National Heritage Medalists and many other prestigious award recipients over the years.
As Co-founder, President, and Program Director of the Norwood Village Green Concert Series, Joe Liotta has received the following recognitions and honors for his work with, and for the values placed on this series:
2002 St. Lawrence County Arts Council Inaugural Annual Arts Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts. 2003 North Country Citation: St. Lawrence University - Commencement, May 2003 “The North Country’s own “sense of place” is created as much by shared community values as cherished landscape features. Our region has a musical heritage that both reflects and shapes our lives as friends and neighbors. Joseph Liotta, an adopted son of the North Country, embraced a full appreciation of place when, in 1974, he created with his wife Harriet the Norwood Village Green Concert Series. Twice a week from June through August, audiences gather on blankets and chairs on the expanse of lawn at the center of this village to hear local students, local and regional artists, and artists from around the world perform in a small band shell. There is no admission charge, only an opportunity to contribute a gift of one’s choice. On July 3, 2003, the series will present its 500th concert, appropriately a reunion concert of the internationally renowned Norwood Fire Department Band, of which Mr. Liotta has been a member since 1969. A graduate of the Crane School of Music and retired member of the Potsdam High School Music Department, Joe Liotta counts 35 of his former students as professional musicians, including members of the ensembles Rockapella, the Klezmer Conservatory Band, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. For his contributions to the musical heritage of our region, St. Lawrence University offers Joseph Liotta its 2003 NORTH COUNTRY CITATION”. 2004 Leadership Through Service Award - SUNY, Potsdam On May 22, 2004 at the SUNY Potsdam’s President’s Dinner for the 170th Commencement of the institution, he received his alma mater’s Leadership Through Service Award for his work for the Series and for his contributions to the cultural life of the North Country. 2015 The Liotta Band Shell on the Norwood Village Green On July 30, 2015 by proclamation of the Board of Trustees of the Trustees of the Village of Norwood the band shell was designated “The Liotta Band Shell on the Norwood Village Green” in appreciation for 42 years of dedication and service to Norwood. 2021 Distinguished Citizen Award – College Council, SUNY, Canton June 2021- The SUNY, Canton College Council awarded Joseph M. Liotta its Distinguished Citizen Award in recognition of distinguished service to the community. Other Recognitions and Awards: 1988 The Dewitt Clinton Citizen of the Year Award 1988 Letter of Commendation from Governor Mario M. Cuomo 1989 Kiwanis Club of Norwood’s Citizen of the Year Award 1993 Recognizing the Twentieth Anniversary of the Series, the Norwood Village Board of Trustees awarded a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ Award for Outstanding Community Service