Apollo Wind Band represents the tradition of wind music in Helsinki, dating back to 1901. Before the renamed association, the Annantalo Wind Orchestra was preceded by the Helsinki Youth Orchestra, founded in 1989 by Anu Fagerström and supported by the City of Helsinki Cultural Affairs Center. The orchestra was the Youth Orchestra of the Helsinki Orchestra, which focused on music teaching for young people.

In 1999 Annantalo ceased to serve as the support point for the orchestra and the name of the orchestra was changed to Apollo Wind Band. Klaus Pylkkänen, a conductor of a more advanced orchestra for ten years, handed over the pin to Anne Peltonen in 2001, and at the same time the rehearsals moved to the premises of the Helsinki Cathedral.

Along with the orchestra itself, there have been youth orchestras over the years, where teaching music has played an important role. In 2003, the Youth Orchestra attracted up to thirty beginners, but since 2006, the Youth Orchestra has been integrated with Apollo. Inka Puhakka, who led the Youth Orchestra, took over from Anne in 2005 as the conductor of Apollo and conducted until 2008, when Tero Haikala stepped onto the podium. The rehearsal room changed, after the Ruoholahti Chapel and the Ruoholahti Primary School, to Kirjansali in Kruununhaka in 2011. In 2018, Sauli Saarinen started as the conductor of the orchestra.

Apollo has invited respected music professionals as leaders and the orchestra is characterized by open-mindedness and challenging and diverse goals. In addition to different types of concerts and performances, Apollo's traditions include an annual spring concert on the Esplanade and the accompaniment of The most beautiful Christmas carols held at Helsinki Cathedral. Throughout its various stages, the orchestra has had a very close relationship with the City of Helsinki, thanks to its financial support and representation.

Apollo Wind Band offers players the opportunity to play together in the Helsinki metropolitan area without being a member of a music college or similar. However, playing skills of at least level 3/3 are required to play in the orchestra. Apollo practices on Thursdays at Kruununhaka, Helsinki from 6:15 pm to 8:45 pm in the hall of Kirjantalo at Kirjatyöntekijänkatu 10 B, 00170 Helsinki. The map link can be found at www.hky001.fi/kirjan_talo/.