There are approximately 80 members of the wind orchestra who between them play a variety of brass and woodwind instruments. The range of instruments goes from piccolo to bass clarinet and bassoon in the woodwind section, alto to baritone saxes, and trumpet to tuba in the brass. There is also a strong percussion section, and we are continually adding to the collection of things to bash and bang.

Age of members ranges from about 13 to ‘well into retirement’, and experience from ‘two or three years learning’, through ‘haven’t played since I left school rather too many years ago’ to music teachers.
A unique feature of Caprice is the arrangement within the sections. There are no auditions, although prospective members would have an opportunity to find out the standard of the music. When a new member arrives they are placed at the ‘end’ of the section and as members leave (normally because they have moved away) the whole section moves up a seat. This helps more inexperienced players, and creates a friendly supportive atmosphere.

There is a real ‘family’ feel to Caprice. The conductor’s husband plays the double bass in the orchestra and her son is the lead percussionist. In addition there are and have been many family groups within the orchestra – the maximum being a family of five, each in different sections. At one stage there were also two trumpeters and two flautists all in one family. And if family members do not play, they often support the orchestra by coming along to all concerts, helping behind the scenes and coming along to social events.