Capital City Wind Ensemble — About the group

About the CCWE

The Capital City Wind Ensemble was founded in 2002 at the request of Mayor Randy Kelly. He called on longtime conductor and impresario, Max Metzger, to form a City employee band.

Max Metzger had led vocal and instrumental ensembles for 50 years in Saint Paul, most notably with the St. Paul Opera Workshop and with the Sunday Como Pops series. Max was a highly accomplished bassoonist, having played with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (now the minnesota Orchestra) under the direction of Antal Dorati and Stanislaw Skrowaczewski.

The Capital City Wind Ensemble (CCWE) grew from a few people in the fall of 2002 to a 25-member concert band. Comprised mostly of City employees, the group rehearsed in City Hall and Annex facilities in Downtown St. Paul. Workers from other Downtown businesses joined, and so did some City retirees and friends. Together, they made a complete ensemble, capable of playing full arrangements of concert band literature, show tunes, and specialty tunes that can be enjoyed by a wide range of audiences.

Shortly before starting the CCWE, Max had suffered a stroke. Most doctors felt he would never be able to conduct music again. With the steadying help of his loving wife, Lil, Max was able to continue his lifelong passion for making music. When Lil became ill and died suddenly in 2004, life became even more difficult for Max. Larry Jennie generously stepped in to help Max, and also became a member of two of his ensembles, joining the groups as an auxiliary percussionist. Larry still plays with the CCWE.

Max was able to continue with his groups until six days before he died in the summer of 2006. In the fall of that year, Mary Livingston and Roger Grupp took up the baton(s) as co-leaders of the Capital City Wind Ensemble, and the group has continued to flourish.

Mayor Chris Coleman is a fervent supporter. He says, "There is a pride in Saint Paul that is unmatched in other cities, and the Capital City Wind Ensemble personifies that pride. The City’s employees who come together to form this ensemble show that the soul of Saint Paul is alive and vibrant. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to hear these musical ambassadors of the Most Livable City in America."