Mark's Freshman Horn Recital

This past weekend, Glo, John and I headed back to Ann Arbor for Mark's freshman horn recital.  The three freshman hornists at the School of Music at the University of Michigan were performing on a recital, and of course we were going to be there for Mark!

Words cannot describe the performance that Mark gave.  Seriously, it was one of those moments where you had to be there to appreciate how good Mark is.  I could write and write about it, and try to describe it, but it just wouldn't have the impact of the performance.  Mark was stellar to say the least, and I have no doubt now, that he will be a professional musician if that's what he chooses to do.

Dory, Kathy and my mom joined us for the performance, and what a sweet moment that was.  Usually it's just our immediate family in the audience, but not this time!  In fact, Mark is so non-plussed by performing now, that while the accompanist was playing the introduction to his concerto, he was looking out at us in the audience and smiling.  In fact, he even "scratched his nose", our family's sign that we see each other during a performance.

A couple of things that astounded me:

Consistency:  Mark has been plagued with consistency problems his whole life.  He'll practice something until it is perfect, but he never knows how the performance is going to go because of nerves.  This performance was entirely different.  In fact, when we were at church just 90 minutes before the performance, he wasn't showing any signs of anxiety.  He was happy to linger afterwards in the chapel and meet some of John's old friends.  He walked out on stage, and as Kathy said, he had amazing stage presence.  No stiffness, no nerves.  Smiling at us.

The performance was as close to perfection as possible.  Difficult sections would arise, or super-high notes would be upcoming, and he hit them like he was sitting on his bed at home, in his pajamas, practicing at 11 o'clock at night.  It was a beautiful thing to see.

Musicality:  During Mark's performance everything faded into the background.  I didn't even notice the pianist.  My nerves calmed down after the first few measures of Mark's playing.  It was all about the music.  There were moments where I was moved to tears, not because of the obvious growth that Mark has experienced, but because the music was just so beautiful.  There were times when he would close his eyes while playing, and I could tell that his heart and his mind were just lost in the music.

I'm a firm believer in NOT taking photos during performances.
However, this was before Mark started playing.
He played "Concerto for Horn and Orchestra, Op. 8" by Frank Strauss.

Mark played first horn for Hindemith's "Sonata for Four Horns".

Growth:  This is something that only John and I (and Mark's former teachers) can appreciate.  How far Mark has come in the past seven months!  Oh my gosh, it's almost qualitative!  Before, I wondered if he could be a professional musician.  Now, I know that he can and will be one!

What a credit to Mark that he has held everything together since arriving in Michigan.  Because of the nature of the degree (it's length and difficulty), there are few music majors who have time to do little else.  However, Mark is earning a separate degree (not just a major), AND rowing on the crew team.  People don't appreciate how much time this involves.  2-3 hour practices for rowing each day, including Saturdays!  Meets on weekends.  He has to drive to practices and bring/wear clothing for rowing.  He has to monitor his 3,700 calories/day, and keep his protein intake high.  He also monitors the amount of sleep he gets, so that he can be at peak performance for his rowing tests.  Meanwhile, he's having to practice horn that much time a day privately, as well as attend rehearsals that last for hours also.  It's no wonder that at times he gets home around 11 p.m., only to begin homework then, or to finish up his practicing for the day.  Too, he attends Institute, is a teacher in the Elders' Quorum, does his home teaching religiously, and dates!  Nothing has suffered along the way, and I would venture a guess, that he's stronger and better because of all that he is doing.

On a side note, I must express thanks to my mom.  She hesitantly agreed to take Mark as a "lodger" last summer when he begged her to let him live with her.  Mark has had the experience of living in dorms at different festivals and conferences, and he knew that wasn't the life he wanted.  He wanted a place where he could come "home" and find some peace and quiet.  My mom wasn't at all sure that Mark would be happy living with her.  Would he make friends?  Would he be lonely?  Would the commute be a drag on his time and life?

Although I know Mark sneaks food up to his room, and leaves crumbs and dirty clothes all over his floor, the two of them have worked it out.  I know my mom is sacrificing a quiet, peaceful life, having him live there, but Mark tells me that he wouldn't have it any other way.  He's so thankful for the nicest "dorm room" on the planet.  He likes buying his own groceries, and cooking them in a kitchen.  He can do a perfect imitation of the dogs and their barking, and he's thankful that he can have his own car.  My mom's generosity has made this all possible.

And the best thing?  He has more friends than he knows what to do with!  In fact, while we were there, he left us to go have lunch with a coxswain from the rowing team.  When he walks down the hall at the School of Music, he is constantly high-fived, and "hey"'d by people.  To Mark's credit, he knew what would make him happy, and he has made it happen.

Kathy, Larisa, Mark, Glo, John and Barbara
In case you hadn't noticed, Mark very subtlely slipped in Michigan's colors of maize and blue.
Thanks, Ethan, for the skinny maize tie from Poland!

There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing my children happy.  Good job, Markie-Boy, for not only navigating this freshman year, but making the most of every moment!