Do you remember what you wanted to be when you were growing up?  Third grader, Henry Boyer already knows that he wants to be in the marching band.

After attending a football game at the University of Michigan last fall, he was more impressed with the marching band than the football game!   Afterwards, he began watching previous half-time shows on YouTube and enjoyed their CD.

Young Henry even wrote a letter to the band informing everyone that he wants to be part of the marching band.  The University of Michigan marching band was so impressed they wrote back to him with an invitation to audition when he's old enough to attend along with some swag and a card.

Henry's dad, Geoff, said this:

"I mean just such a simple act, to reach back out to him, it's changed his world."

CBS News got word of Henry's story and planned a surprise meeting with the U of M marching band.  You can check out his reaction below in the video:

"You guys have the best music ever," he said. "I can't wait to join."

*Encouragement goes a long way!  When my son, Eric was in junior high, he was trying to decide whether to stay with band or sports before entering high school.  I guess he could've done both, but, he choose marching band. Of course, me and Eric's dad encouraged him to do whatever he wanted to do, but, it was a high school student that absolutely changed Eric's mind and encouraged him to stay with music. Thanks to Jon Poelhuis who played trumpet in the Castle High School marching band at that time and for reaching out to Eric and telling him how much fun it was to be part of the band.  And, Jon was right.  Of course, it was hard work too!  Kudos to the Band Directors at CHS for their guidance, wisdom, and leadership, too!

After graduating from Vanderbilt University with a Masters in Music Education,  Eric traveled around the world on Celebrity Cruises and was hired to play guitar professionally with the band on board. He still plays guitar and is now the Entertainment Director at Plaza Mariachi in Nashville, TN.

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