The Capitol City Band Association
includes four major performing groups:

The Capitol City Band (CCB) is one of Wisconsin's finest professional concert bands located in Madison WI. CCB was founded in 1969 by the late Dr. Elmer Ziegler whose philosophy it was that there should be a community concert band in every city and town in America. CCB plays concerts in the park on Thursday evenings, 7:00 p.m. each June, July and August at the lovely Rennebohm Park on Madison's near west side (115. N. Eau Claire Ave.). The musicians are paid professionals from the greater Madison area. Since 1981, CCB has been conducted by Jim Latimer. He is assisted by associate conductor Dave Pedracine.

The Madison Marimba Quartet (MMQ) is one of Wisconsin's premiere professional percussion ensembles. MMQ was founded in 1980, regrouped in 1987 and has performed professionally since that time. Members of the Quartet are Tim Gruber, Laura Guse, Jim Latimer and Tom Shaver. MMQ is available for performances by contract for a fee.  Each year, between the holidays of Christmas and New Year's, MMQ plays the annual Our Gift To You concert, a free concert "as a way to give back to the community."

The VFW Volunteer Community Band (VFW or winter band) plays concerts from September through May and takes the month of December off. The musicians are professionals and nonprofessionals who volunteer their time and talents and play up to 20 public service concerts each year including services for Veterans Day and Memorial Day at the State Capitol. In addition to the Veterans Day and Memorial Day concerts, the winter band rehearses twice a month (Thursday evenings) and plays concerts twice a month (Thursday evenings) for senior and retirement centers, senior housing units, nursing homes and assisted living places. Membership is open to all interested musicians who play band instruments.

 Jim Latimer and Friends is a five-piece dance combo available by contract and for a fee. This group plays Music As You Like It and is known for playing dances, cocktail parties, background music, and wedding receptions. They are perhaps best known for playing the old favorites and music by request from their audiences.

Photos courtesy of
   Prof. Sean Greene [top collage]
   Isthmus Photography (Don Creedy) [bottom CCB]
   Three Pines Media (Deb Kabler) [bottom MMQ]