Morristown Student Named Mayo PAC Student Of The Month

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Frelinghuysen Middle School percussionist was among 10 musicians honored as the Mayo Performing Arts Center’s March 2022 Music Students of the Month. Eighth-grader Benjamin Furman has played music for three years at the middle school, performing on several instruments for school concerts.

Teachers nominate students for MPAC Student of the Month. Then the theater's education department chooses them for the honor based on their commitment to excellence in the performing arts.

Frelinghuysen music teacher Timothy Beadle nominated Furman and said the following about him:

"Ben has been a percussionist at FMS for 3 years. Ben has always been a strong music student, but this year, Ben dedicated himself to learning mallet instruments. In our concerts, you can see him switching between chimes, xylophone, marimba, and vibraphone. More impressive, he took on the Jr. Region mallett audition by himself, with no private lessons. For 2 months, Ben spent every morning before school practicing in the band room and was one of only 2 students at FMS that made the honor band."

The theater recognized the students before Saturday's performance by Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox.

Thanks for reading. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Morristown Patch Facebook page.