The Capitol City Band Association brings free live music to Dane County, celebrating America’s heritage and diversity through performances that reach people of all ages and cultures. Through our longstanding community partnerships, we help make music accessible to everyone. The association fundraises to support all concert activities and has a no-debt policy.
The two bands with one mission can only play concerts because of supporters and believers like you. The Capitol City Band Association was established as a 501(c)3 organization in 1979; contributions are tax deductible.
Jim Latimer conducts the Capitol City Band in Summer 2024. Courtesy DZKabler Photographics
The Bands
The Capitol City Band, established in 1969, is a professional (reading) concert band that plays a free public concert series every summer in Madison, Wisconsin. These 12-13 annual concerts take place at Rennebohm Park, designated “home of the Capitol City Band” by vote of the Madison Common Council in 1997.
The CCBA sponsors the VFW Band, a volunteer community band, established in 1950. The band plays from September through May for residents of Dane County in nursing homes, healthcare centers, and places of assisted or retirement living. The ensemble also plays for the Veterans Services on Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol in cooperation with the Madison Veterans Council and VFW Post 1318. Everyone associated with the VFW Band volunteers time and talent, and the Capitol City Band loans equipment and music.
VFW Band, 1972
It was the vision of the bands’ founder, Dr. Elmer Ziegler, that there should be a community band in every city, village, and town in America. Before coming to Madison in 1950, he established bands in Muscatine, IA and Rock Island, IL.
Elmer Ziegler conducts the band at the Wisconsin State Capitol
Following Ziegler’s passing, Jim Latimer served as music director from 1981 until 2024. His wife MJ Latimer also served the bands for decades as the CCBA Manager. Jim celebrated his 90th birthday at the opening concert for the Capitol City Band’s 56th season on June 27, 2024.
Milestones
The Capitol City Band celebrated its 50th season during the summer of 2018.
In 2020, neither band performed due to the pandemic.
In summer 2021, the Capitol City Band played its 900th free public concert.
In 2017, VFW Band played its 1,000th public service concert. 2024 begins the 75th season.
Taryn Petterson with the Capitol City Band, 2024. Courtesy DZKabler Photographics
CCBA Board of Directors
Chair: Nancy Riesch-Flannery Associate Chair: Deborah Z. Kabler Secretary: Wendy Kerr Treasurer: David Pedracine Directors: Tim Gruber, Terri Taylor Manager: Madison Leischner Interim Music Director: David Pedracine
Past Music Directors: Jim Latimer, Elmer Ziegler
Sincere thanks to our dedicated volunteers and contributors who make it all possible!
A VERY special thank you to MJ Latimer, whose decades of tireless work as the CCBA Manager allowed us to touch so many lives through music.
