2016 concerts in the park

48th concert season -- a milestone achievement
for a band that wasn’t supposed to play on

The Capitol City Band is set to open the 48th concert season on Thursday, June 9, 7:00 pm, at Rennebohm Park, on Madison Wisconsin’s near west side. The band is certain to “put on the ritz.” This represents 12 years under founder, Elmer Ziegler and the 36th year under the baton of Jim Latimer. In 1981 when the late Dr. Elmer Ziegler passed on, word has it that Ziegler felt his efforts to establish a lasting professional community band in Madison would not live on so he willed his 10,000 piece library to the Music Museum in Vermillion South Dakota. That being said, little did he realize that when he asked UW Professor Jim Latimer to “help out” during his [Ziegler’s] illness, the band would live on. 

With the encouragement of the late Raymond F. Dvorak, Latimer made the decision to continue the then 12-year-old tradition of concerts in the park in Madison. “We just kind of limped along,” said Latimer referring to the loss of the Ziegler library to the Shrine to Music, no structure, no equipment and no money. But with the help of Dvorak and others, and the Ziegler philosophy that “every city and town in America should have a concert band,” the Capitol City Band slowly built up library, personnel, equipment and a fantastic team of volunteers and supporters. 

Now 36 years later, “we are celebrating this milestone achievement,” says an enthusiastic Latimer, paraphrasing a line in Forrest Gump, “Music Is what Music Does”…and we are doing it!” He can't  say enough about the power and message in music and all that music brings to the audiences at Rennebohm Park, which are attended by the young and the young-at-heart, from ages 2 to 102, from all walks of life and from as many as 4-5 counties and 30 cities, villages and towns, and often out-of-state. And yet, it may be one of Madison’s own best kept secrets.

 The Capitol City Band musicians are some of the finest in and around Dane County. CCB is a professional reading band which means the band does not have the time nor the money to rehearse before each concert. What you hear is what you get. Latimer says “we rely on the dedication, expertise and talent of each musician at each concert.” Every concert is a new program of music. The band holds three rehearsals in early June before the summer season begins. 

Much of the program is “Americana” including the marches of John Philip Sousa, tributes to the Veterans and those now serving. Each concert begins with a patriotic piece (since 9/11) unannounced. The audience of hundreds is enthusiastic and touched by the power of music. The concerts are free and open to the public. We all know free is never really free. We pound the pavements to raise the $36,000 each season to have free concerts in the park and to keep the hills alive with the sound of music. Rennebohm Park is a setting easily accessible for the physically challenged and older residents and visitors who find it comforting to hear fine music, experience fellowship and have fun on a beautiful summer evening 12 weeks of the summer. In addition, a July 4 weekend concert on the Capitol Square culminates with color guard, flags and the Stars and Stripes forever tribute to this great nation and the people who serve and have served to make it so. Music tells who we are, what we are, and where we are going. The Capitol City Band says it all with music.

The money is used to pay the professional musicians, purchase music and maintain equipment. We have extraordinary teams of volunteers and leadership (who are also volunteers). Professional singers and instrumental soloists volunteer there time at each concert. Public monies are getting more difficult to raise as there are so many valuable causes competing for dollars. We need GO FUND ME believers.

We need the funds in the next 6 weeks. We only play if we have the money. We will not go in debt. We think our record of the past 47 years testifies to our intention, objectives, and completed goals.  We give exceptional recognition to all our sponsors.  We thank you for even considering a contribution of any amount - $3000 for a concert, $1500  co-sponsor or $48 for the 48th season. It all adds up. If you can help us raise $15000, we know we can raise the remaining amount.  Music is life.