It's Official!

Mark is a Wolverine!  Yep, he's headed to the University of Michigan in the fall to earn dual degrees (not double major) in French horn performance and German.  After months of auditions, filling out college applications, and begging for money, everything came together for Mark.  I'd like to say that it goes beyond this when I think of the years that Mark has spent, working on this one goal.

There were so many things to consider, the top one being the horn teacher.  Adam Unsworth is a BEAST, and a very hot name in the horn world right now.  Plus, he's a humble, wonderful man who invites students over to his house for dinner with his family, and who has been very encouraging to Mark in both a lesson and audition.

Too, money.  I hate to say it, but money is a huge factor.  Adam got Mark a large chunk of scholarship money that doesn't ever need to be paid back.  What a blessing!

One thing that we didn't really want to bring up, but felt responsible to do so, was Mark serving a mission.  The BYU horn teacher told us that Mark would need to reapply to any other horn program, but BYU was "mission friendly".  We waited with baited breath for Mr. Unsworth's response after Mark told him about it.  Thankfully, he had no problem with losing Mark for two years, and made sure that Mark understood what he would need to do to continue to receive his scholarship when he returns from his mission.  Mark told me afterwards that he's going to work hard to earn the trust that Mr. Unsworth has in him.

One great thing is that Mark is already starting to find people that he already knows (mostly from Interlochen) who are going to Michigan too.  In fact, there are some kids who will be entering the horn studio along with Mark.  What I would have given to have started college, already knowing people at the school!

Mark came down this morning, dressed in full Michigan regalia--hat, sweatshirt and track pants.  He hadn't wanted to tell anyone about his decision until he told his horn teacher, Angela, last night.  I think he just wanted to run it by her one more time to make sure that this was indeed the best decision.  The funny thing is that nobody is asking Mark about his decision today based on his clothes.  He guesses that he wears Michigan stuff too much anyway!

Congratulations, Markie-Boy, and, oh yeah, GO BLUE!!!