In The Pocket Farewell

Tonight was the fifteenth spring “In the Pocket” concert at DA. The Jazz/Rock Ensemble is the peak of the school’s extra curricular activities, which is really saying something given the state champion sports teams, and national champion debate team, and chess, robotics, science Olympiad and on and on.  
I can remember going to an In the Pocket concert when Carter was in second or third grade and being blown away by the musical talent of the then upper schoolers. Having no musical talent myself I am extra impressed with those people who can produce such beautiful sounds. I could hardly imagine at that time that Lydia Oakley and Evan Ballew who were Carter’s classmates would grow up to be stars of In the Pocket.
The spring concert is always bitter sweet because it is the final show for the seniors in the group. None of them disappointed this year. Creel Ng Cashin, Ellie Dusek, Niall Schroeder and Lydia Oakley as vocalists were outstanding. Nikki Inocencio who normally tears it up on violin also sang and played the guitar in a touching number for her mother who lives in Alaska, but was at the show.  
Chris Villiani ruled the keyboards. Diane Youngstrom seduced us with the clarinet. Addison West blew the trumpet and sang beautifully, but not at the same time. And the always versatile Evan Ballew masterfully played both the bass and trumpet also not at the same time.
Nine seniors departing the group leaving six underclassmen to break in the lucky new members, whomever they might be. Despite the talent that is graduating I have no question that the new members will pick up right where these guys left off. They will be just as outstanding, inspiring and thrilling to watch and listen to. It just won’t be the same for me because they will no longer be the kids I have watched grow up. Instead when I go to a future ITP concert it will just be a very talented musical group who I love to listen to, but it probably won’t make me cry, like tonight’s group did.