Caprice was established in 1989, and since then, it has grown from the original ten players to its present membership of nearly eighty. Under the professional and enthusiastic direction of its founder, Joy Bome, Caprice established itself as an important and popular part of Chelmsford musical life.

In October 2006, Joy passed the baton over to her son David, and joined the Orchestra in the percussion section.

Caprice gives four to five concerts each year to raise funds for local and national charities, an amount which now totals £111,817. A busy schedule of concerts has been planned again for this year and into 2008. Caprice is a very keen supporter of the Chelmsford Town Twinning Association, and has very strong social and musical links with the Städtisches Blasorchester from Chelmsford's twin town of Backnang in Germany, and L'Ensemble Harmonique d'Annonay, Chelmsford's twin town in France. Both orchestras have made a series of visits to each other's towns, and Städtisches Blasorchester, Backnang visted Chelmsford for the fourth time in October 2007.Caprice last visited Germany in October 2005. In June 2000, Caprice visited Annonay and joined forces with the Backnang orchestra and l'Ensemble Harmonique d'Annonay in two Millennium Concerts. L'Ensemble Harmonique d'Annonay visited Chelmsford for the first time in October 2004 (visit our photo album here). Caprice has also made four recordings at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. To see what life in the Orchestra is like, visit the Member's View page. To see what others think of us look at the News page.

The Caprice shop is open at all our concerts. View gift ideas here

If you would like to join the Orchestra please contact us for further information.