Capitol City Band

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Jim Latimer has been conductor of the Capitol City Band since 1981.

The Capitol City Band kicked off its 53rd season on July 4 and has been holding down their traditional Thursday night summer spot at Rennebohm Park since then. But Aug. 19 marks a special milestone for the ensemble, directed since 1981 by Jim Latimer: 900 free community concerts. A special, top secret song will open the concert, which includes "There’s Something about a Hometown Band" and more fan favorites from a variety of genres. As they say, "Bring a lawn chair and a friend" to this free concert. Concerts continue Thursdays through August 26.

press release: Capitol City Band plays 900th free Concert on Thursday

Nine hundred (900) of anything is a big deal and so it is for the Capitol City Band and longtime bandleader Jim Latimer. On Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 7:00 pm at the Rennebohm Park Shelter, the band is set to play the 900th free public concert and Latimer has conducted over 700 of them.

This band was founded in 1969 under the baton of the late Dr. Elmer Ziegler whose vision it was to have a hometown concert band in every city, village and town in America. Ziegler did alright, according to Latimer, Ziegler started and passed on three community bands – in Muscatine IA, Rock Island IL and here in Madison.” Latimer explained that the city of Muscatine at the time was so moved by their hometown band that they established a one-cent band tax to help pay for the band’s services.

The band has played seven Thursday evening concerts so far this season. Board chair, Nancy Riesch-Flannery said the musicians and the community were “ready for live music and concerts in the park.” This is also the 53rd concert concert season with one remaining concert after Thursday. The concerts are supported annually by local businesses and individual and family contributions.

Audiences come from several counties including Sauk, Rock and Green and often from as afar as neighboring Dubuque IA. Featured on the 900th concert will be professional cornetist, Jessica Jensen playing Carnival of Venice and vocalist Missy Paust who will sing How Long Has This Been Going On followed by Wind Beneath My Wings. CCB will also play the 1949 often requested song “There’s Something about a Hometown Band.” Bring a chair, bring a friend. Enjoy favorite tunes and Sousa marches, music for all ages and all cultures.

It is interesting to note that the band members are regulars, some playing since 1981 when Latimer took over conducting the band. Associate conductor, Dave Pedracine, who has played percussion in the band since 1983, says there’s always someone(s) in the wings waiting for a chance to join or sub with this band.

This is a milestone season coming back after the pandemic and a milestone concert for Capitol City Band. “We know who we are through music,” says Latimer. And there’s plenty of music to go around. CCB will play the final concerts-in-the-park of 2021 on August 26, at 7:00 pm at the parkland.

For more information, call 608 835-9861, visit mmqccb.org or follow Capitol City Band on Facebook. Go CCB! Modest Public Health guidelines are suggested such as wearing masks and sitting within your pod (family/friends), fist bumps and limited mingling. There is on- and off-street parking as well as limited parking within the parkland grounds. In the case of heavy rain, parking within the grounds may not be possible. Rain or shine, the show goes on.

PARKING: You can get to Rennebohm Park via Segoe Rd to Sheboygan Ave. to Eau Claire Avenue OR Whitney Way to Regent Street, east on Regent to Eau Claire Avenue or Midvale Blvd to Regent Street going west, two long blocks to Eau Claire Avenue