We've come a long way since the band was started back in 1966 with a mere six members. Over the last 35 years, the band has grown to encompass a sixty-five member concert band, a twenty piece jazz/dance band, clarinet choir, dixieland band, and flute ensemble.

The band was founded by its present conductor, R. Paul Barber, and his wife Fern, who is the principal clarinetist and concertmistress.

Mr. Barber is the District Music Coordinator for the Farmington Public Schools, recognized in 2000 as the best community in the country for Music Education. He has taught in the Farmington Public Schools since 1966, working in the elementary and secondary music programs, and was director of instrumental music for 12 years at Harrison High School where his groups consistently received high ratings and recognition. Mr. Barber has also conducted four international tours with Musical Youth International. He has served as a district president and state vice-president of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, and is currently active on the Farmington Community Arts Council and the Interagency Council.

Mr. Barber has received several awards from various local organizations including the Outstanding Teacher, Distinguished Service and Service to the Arts Awards, and was recently recognized as Administrator of the Year by the Michigan Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

Fern Barber has taught elementrary instrumental music in the Farmington and Walled Lake Schools and is currently the band director at Walnut Creek Middle School in Walled Lake. She is a past president of the Farmington Musicale, past vice-president of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and currently serves as chairman of the Farmington Area Arts Commission.

The Barbers reside in Farmington Hills, and are very proud of their children Randall Scott, a band director in Mt. Clemens, and Julie Anne, a sophomore at the University of Michigan.