To play "in the pocket" refers to the sense of "locking in" as an ensemble — finding a blend of both accuracy and musicality.
And, that's what this wind ensemble is striving to do — play in the pocket with each other.
Interlochen Arts Academy students Rylan Collins, William Simpfendorfer, Elise TeKolste and Audrey Bray make up Pocket Winds, one of the groups going on tour later this month to New York City.
Simpfendorfer, the group's oboist, is excited to go to New York for many reasons, but both getting to play with this ensemble and to be with his friends top the list.
He isn't the only one in the group that mentioned that they are both a group of friends as well as musical collaborators.
The four musicians of Pocket Winds performed the second of Jacques Ibert's Deux Mouvements, Assez vif et rythme, during their recording session with IPR.
Bassoonist TeKolste loves the richness the movement has, and how it's also playful and silly, encapsulating the vibe of their group.
"The best way to make good music is to have fun," TeKolste said.
They're going on tour later this month with other Interlochen Arts Academy students. The tour includes side-by-side performances with students from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (LaGuardia) as well as chamber music performances at the Kaufman Music Center.
Musicians
Rylan Collins, flute, Austin, TX
William Simpfendorfer, oboe, Colorado Springs, CO
Audrey Bray, clarinet, Nacogdoches, TX
Elise TeKolste, bassoon, Lawrence, KS
Pocket Winds is coached by Anthony Trionfo at Interlochen Arts Academy.
Kelley DiPasquale engineered this edition of Studio A.
Emily Duncan Wilson is IPR's digital content manager.
