Musician Stories
David Londal
Beginnings: Summer of 1977
David’s musical journey with the FCB began in the summer of 1977. He was almost fourteen, about to enter ninth grade, and had already spent five years studying trombone under Paul Barber, who taught him proper posture, breathing, and how to make the horn truly sing.
That year, David joined the Farmington Community Band—his first experience performing with adult musicians. He had no way of knowing how deeply the FCB, and that familiar corner of the stage that the trombone section occupies, would shape his future and become a home for him.
Growing Up Through Music
The early years were filled with rehearsals, concerts, All-Sports and Variety Shows, ice cream socials, dinner dances, and community performances. The pace was relentless, but David loved every minute. Under Paul Barber’s mentorship, music was never passive—David contributed, served, and helped build the organization. Over the years, he held roles including equipment manager, treasurer, and president.
New Adventures and Unforgettable Memories
After high school, David continued to explore the world through music. He toured the…
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…British Isles one summer and later joined the University of Michigan Marching Band—where academics, as he likes to joke, were “secondary.”
With Michigan, he performed in front of stadiums of more than 100,000 people and appeared on national stages at the Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, and even the Super Bowl. One unforgettable moment stands out: former First Lady Betty Ford once tripped over David’s feet during rehearsal for a performance with Bob Hope—a story few musicians can claim.
Whenever the busyness of life allowed, David returned to the FCB.
A Family Built Around Music
After three seasons in Ann Arbor, David left with incredible memories—and someone who would become far more precious: Robin. Also a trombone player, she soon joined David and the FCB. More than forty years later, she still plays beside him—aside from a few well-earned sabbaticals along the way.
As their family grew, music remained a touch point. David and Robin participated in a three-year run of community musicals, in addition to the regular concert schedule often juggling rehearsals with babysitters, diaper bags, and toddlers playing under folding chairs. A few years on and their son Alec joined the family, that’s when Robin finally tapped out for a while. The Londals raised a family of musicians—all trombonists except their daughter Sarah, who defected to percussion. As David likes to say, “Every family needs one rebel.” Today, Sarah performs with the band as part of the percussion section.
Full Circle
Over the decades, David has played with many ensembles, but the moments that mean the most are the ones shared with family, lifelong friends, and members of the FCB community.
In the summer of 2024, everything came full circle when David and Robin performed Stars and Stripes Forever under the direction of all five of their grandchildren—with an enthusiastic assist from the Butman family.
A Home in Music
The fourteen-year-old boy in 1977 could never have imagined how profoundly music would shape his life—sending him across the country and internationally, allowing him to perform for royalty, presidents, and massive audiences, while building friendships and memories that would last a lifetime.
But the greatest gift has always been the sense of belonging found in the Farmington Community Band.
Nearly five decades later, David jokes that he may eventually bring a recliner and permanently park it in the trombone section—because the FCB is not simply where he plays.
It is home.
Michele Rony & Christopher Rush
Michele has been in the FCB for 33 years, after starting her career in marketing and advertising working long hours like they did in the business back in the day (ala Mad Men). She was looking for a diversion and her first choice was music.
Michele looked around and found FCB - and joined the band. No matter how much travel she does for her job, her team knows Mondays are sacred for her - she needs to be sitting in her chair in the flute section, ready to play.
Michele has had a lot of amazing experiences throughout her years in the band, from playing concerts on Mackinaw Island to Belle Isle and everywhere in between. But the best thing about being a part of FCB was when she met her husband, Chris, who also plays the flute. They will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary next year.
And to this day, every Monday is still sacred, and they get in the car together and sit in their chairs in the flute section, ready to play.