When a longtime job holder steps down from his or her position, one often wonders what kept them there so long, what they plan to do now and if they have fond memories of their place of work. Such is the case with Brad Demilo. After serving the music department of the Farmingdale School District since 1964, he has outstayed many of his colleagues and administrators. One could say that many people in the school district literally couldn't imagine Farmingdale without Demilo's musical influence.

Brad Demilo's career as a music teacher began early. Fresh out of Hofstra University, he was working at a local music store, the Music Box, when Albany Avenue Elementary School's band director stepped down in February 1964. Demilo had a teaching license, but no experience, so the school asked him to cover the position till the end of the year, at which point a more qualified person was to be found to take the job permanently.

Despite his lack of experience, the school district liked what they saw. Demilo was asked to permanently take the position at the end of the year. He stayed on there until 1978, when Farmingdale High School's band director retired. Demilo applied for the position, was accepted, and took on the role in September of that year.

In 1982, a brainchild was born. While speaking to an administrator, Demilo mentioned, "Wouldn't it be neat if we had a community band?" The administrator agreed, and told him to go ahead with it. Demilo went to the mayor and told him about his idea. He planned to use the Village Green, holding four summer concerts there, enough to get a feel for how the community would receive the idea. The performers would be alumni from Farmingdale High School's music department.

The Village Pops "started off really folksy," Demilo said. There were 20 to 25 people performing, many of whom had dusted off their instruments specifically to play for the concerts after not having touched them in years. A professional performer who plays the French horn, Demilo called upon his musical friends to join the amateur players as well. He could not pay them, he told them, but "my wife's a terrific cook." He promised them dinner after the show. The concerts were held on Wednesdays so that those who had weekend engagements could still enjoy the performance.

Alongside his career as a band director, the Village Pops grew from four concerts the first year to six the second. Ten years later a seventh concert was added. The group meets once a week on Monday nights to practice, and "today I have around a hundred people who play," although never more than 60 at a time. Each year, Demilo invites about 300 participants between Farmingdale High School's alumni and other performers he knows from his own involvement in music performance. Musicians come from places such as Commack, Long Beach, Baldwin and Bellmore to play with the group.

The group's music, which came from the high school the Pops' first year in existence, has now grown to over 500 titles, which are kept in a room of the public library. A budget from the village covers special needs and repair of music. The event added a program this year as well, so the audience can follow along with what titles are being played. The concert goes for an hour, "never under, always over," Demilo said.

The concerts provide more than just music. Due to sponsors of the events, the Village Pops is able to have free ice cream, gift certificates, a raffle and fun things for the children who come, such as face painting and balloons. The Village Pops has become an annual community event, which celebrated its 20th season this year with the final concert of the summer held this past Wednesday.

Demilo's first job, though, was as a band teacher, which he calls, "the job of a lifetime." He credits "all the wonderful people I've been associated with . . . countless parents . . . countless colleagues. . ." and a very supportive board of education and administrators with his positive experience at Farmingdale. He also speaks highly of his students. "The kids are so talented in Farmingdale," he said, "whatever is in the water produces great musicians." Despite his initial lack of experience, he was given, "a lot of freedom to mold lives and create music." He believes his "performing is probably one of the reasons I was a good teacher." He was able to perform on weekends, then tell his students about what it was like. Students who wanted to choose careers in music had a teacher who could show them the ropes. Demilo gives his entire experience with the school district a glowing review. "I'm so thrilled that Farmingdale gave me a chance."

While Demilo retired as band director, his work with the Village Pops is not done. There are plans to build a gazebo on the green and he hopes to be a part of the fundraising. He sees it as an opportunity to make the location better for concerts, but also for other community events. "Music is a very strong component in Farmingdale," Demilo said, and he intends to stay involved.

While Farmingdale has lost a music educator, it has not lost his musical influence on the community. Brad Demilo's continued commitment to bringing music to Farmingdale is a positive sign for the village, and also a refreshing way for Demilo to enter retirement. As Demilo reflects, "I've been lucky."