Benjamin Carter Olcott

Ben Olcott was a member of the Cresskill Music Department for all four years of his time at CHS. Alongside his involvement as a percussionist in Concert Band, Ben was a member of the drum line for the Marching Band where he rose to the position of Section Leader during his Junior and Senior year. As an avid percussionist and musician, Ben also took part in Jazz Band for several years and even earned an officer position as Junior Class Representative as an 11th grader and the Drill Captain/Head of Stage Crew for Marching Band as 1 senior.

After graduation in 2010, Ben attended Boston College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing. Afterward, he worked for Oxford University Press in New York City as an Assistant Editor and Digital Products Developer in the Higher Education division. During that time, he published several poems, placed short stories in contests, and was nominated for various literary prizes. He currently works as a Development Associate for Montgomery Studios, a TV production company which is based in Los Angeles. He now spends his free time writing a novel and working part-time at Skylight Books, where he hosts a literary fiction reading club.

Although Ben didn’t choose to continue his involvement in music on the same level as in high school over the years, he still remains incredibly passionate about art and music today and is grateful for the way his high school experiences in music have become important influences on his writing and career.

Among Ben’s favorite memories from CHS are undoubtedly the performances he took part in. His first ever Band Festival has become an experience he will never forget along with the feelings of excitement at the Winter and Spring Concerts before he went on to play his favorite songs with the Jazz Band and Concert Band. His favorite moments from those performances include playing Timpani on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” Medley and playing Woodblocks for the annual performance of “Sleigh Ride” at the Winter Concert (a part which has left him with the permanent life lesson to always start the song with your left hand!)

Ben has graciously noted that he'd be happy to be a resource for any students who are considering pursuing a similar career path/interest as him, so feel free to contact him at his email address listed above if you feel so inclined.