E. Hanover, Florham Park Students Honored For Orchestral Talent

Students from East Hanover and Florham Park were among several honored by the Mayo Performing Arts Center as a February Music Student Of The Month for being an outstanding orchestra member.

Matthew Mullen, an 8th grader at Ridgedale Middle School, and Auden Gu, a sophomore at Hanover Park High School, were honored on stage before the Feb. 17 concert at Mayo PAC. All the students were nominated by their teachers and chosen by Mayo PAC's education department. At the end of the year, all honored students will be invited to perform in a recital.

Here is what Helen Britez had to say about Auden Gu:

Auden is new to my program. Despite that, not only has he made himself at home, but he has made all the other students feel at home as well. He is our concert master (he's quite accomplished and was just accepted into the North Jersey Region Orchestra). The other students and I rely on him to help troubleshoot fingerings, instrument repair, interpretation, etc. I often ask him to demonstrate for the class, and he can be depended on to run efficient sectionals without my supervision. Auden is active in other activities as well, and is just an all-around great guy. A pleasure to have in class.

Here is what Mike Leone had to say about Matthew Mullen:

Matt began his time at Ridgedale Middle School as a member of our String Orchestra in sixth grade. It was quickly apparent that he had great musical talent. Music came to him naturally, and it showed in how quickly he grasped concepts and improved on his instrument. In the beginning of his eighth grade year, he decided to unveil his piano skills and joined our Jazz Ensemble as one of our pianists. This even further bolstered his standing as one of Ridgedale's most gifted musicians and invaluable contributors to our program. Matt is not only a great musician, but he is also a respectful and kind student who is always polite to teachers, staff and other students.

Photo Caption: Front Row:Maeve Kelly, Grade 8, Mountain View Middle School; Mendham, Allison Connuck, Grade 9, Randolph High School; Randolph; Nikita Kalathur, Grade 12, West Morris Mendham High School; Mendham; Yoo Jin Kang, Grade 8, Robert R. Lazar Middle School; MontvilleJoanna Peters, Grade 8, Randolph Middle School; Randolph; BACK ROW:Milind Bangalore, Grade 9, Morristown High School; MorristownPatrick Calderon, Grade 8, John Hill School; Boonton; Patrick Martin, Grade 12, West Morris Mendham High School; Mendham; Matthew Mullen, Grade 8, Ridgedale Middle School; Florham Park; Auden Gu, Grade 10, Hanover Park High School; East Hanover; Ian Zhang, Grade 8, Black River Middle School; Chester; Selected, but not present:Zoe Bohensky, Grade 8, Madison Junior School; Madison; Nicolas Gritz, Grade 10, Delbarton School; Morristown; Andrew Madonna, Grade 11, Delbarton School; Morristown