Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Charles J. Hilton joined the United States Air Force Academy Band, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, in August 2017. He currently performs on tuba with the Heritage of America Band, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.
SSgt Hilton is a native of Northwest Arkansas. While in the area, he served as principal tuba of the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, performed in chamber ensembles with the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, as well as Opera Fayetteville. In 2013, he competed at the South Central Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference, where he was a finalist in the Solo Artist competition, and winner of the Orchestral Excerpt competition. In 2017, he was named the winner of both the Illinois State University School of Music Concerto Competition, as well as the Band Concerto Competition, and performed solo tuba works with both the symphony orchestra and the wind symphony.
SSgt Hilton attended Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Arkansas, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Arkansas, and a Master of Music degree from Illinois State University. His primary teachers include Benjamin Pierce and Andrew Rummel.
EDUCATION
2015 Bachelor of Music, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
2017 Master of Music, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug 2018 - Jul 2021, USAF Academy Band, Peterson AFB, CO
2. Jul 2021 - present, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Air and Space Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Staff Sergeant 01 Jun 2021
Senior Airman 01 Oct 2019
Airman 1st Class 01 Jun 2019
(Current as of March 2022)