To those who, annoyed by intermittent, rainy, cool days, aren't yet convinced that summer is here, the approach of the Village Pops annual concert series may be all the proof they need.

The warm-weather string of outdoor concerts is set to begin July 1 and will run for seven weeks. All concerts will take place Wednesday nights beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the Farmingdale Village Green. (In case of rain, the concert will move to Farmingdale's Howitt School auditorium.) As in the past, the event will also feature the "Minute of History" local history lecture series, coordinated by Farmingdale Village Historian William Johnston.

The Village Pops concert series, now in its 16th year, has become a modern tradition in Farmingdale, with scores of local residents flocking to the heart of the village to hear the sweet music. Both the number of band members, who are all volunteers from the community, and attendance has consistently increased over the years. The event, according to its band director Brad DeMilo, is part of what sets Farmingdale apart from other communities. "I think having a community band is just part of the charm of living in Farmingdale," he said.

Charming local residents is not the only function of the community band and concert series. It also affords local musicians with varying degrees of skill a forum for performance. Members range from a professional flautist, Lisa Propora, to a student chosen by special selection from Farmingdale's Northside Elementary School, Karen Ratty. Local families of musicians are abundant in the group, according to DeMilo, who described the sense of fulfillment this brings. "When you look out over those faces, and you see that music is bringing them together, it's kind of a nice thing to do," he said.

Another feature of the performances is audience participation. Specifically, a member of the audience is selected to act briefly as conductor. "They actually get to keep the baton that they conducted with," DeMilo said.

The band rehearses at Farmingdale High School on Monday nights, clad in T-Shirts and jeans, at times a bit weary from the summer heat. "We get through it with a little bit of humor," said Demilo. Although the Village Pops band's members have diverse levels of skill, their common bond is a love of music and performing. "Our philosophy is - make it entertaining, make it fun, but you have to also give them a challenge," the band director said.

Describing the musician's motivation for the volunteer effort, Demilo noted, "They like to make music," adding, "Friends are what makes it fun."