Three Airman Musicians Recognized in Media Contest

Published March 23, 2015
By Chief Master Sgt. Jenn Pagnard

Washington, D.C. -- Three Airman musicians from The U.S. Air Force Band won awards in the 2013 Air Force Public Affairs Media contest. Four was the magic number for the 2014 contest with four of the Band's Airman musicians taking home "prizes."

The Air Force Media Contest is an annual competition between public affairs products, including journalism, social media, graphic art, video production, music, and others. The contest features 50 categories in all. It is designed to inspire and reward excellence and professionalism in Air Force Public Affairs community. Awards are given to both civilians and military members.

Now retired Senior Master Sgt. Robert Thurston and Master Sgt. Emily Wellington were once again awarded first place distinctions. This year, Master Sgt. Joshua Kowalsky and Technical Sgt. Hannah Rigg joined the circle of winners as well.

Senior Master Sgt. Robert Thurston won first place in "Category 46: Outstanding Large Instrumental Composition/Arrangement" for his original composition "Departures." This is the title track for the Concert Band's most recent recording. Click here to download or listen to Thurston's "Departures."

Master Sgt. Joshua Kowalsky was awarded third place in "Category 47: Outstanding Small Instrumental Composition/Arrangement" for his arrangement of Benjamin Britten's Alpine Suite for flute, clarinet and cello. This composition was originally written for three recorders.

About this award, Kowalsky said, "I'm particularly proud of this accomplishment, since I don't have any formal training in musical arrangement!"

Last year, then Technical Sgt. Matthew Geist won first prize in "Category 48: Outstanding Popular Song." However, this year's honors went to Master Sgt. Emily Wellington for "Black Cat." Wellington wrote this song for Celtic Aire, which is comprised of five Airman musicians from the Singing Sergeants.

Using multiple instruments and lush vocal harmonies, Celtic Aire performs a large repertoire of Celtic folk songs, Irish reels and jigs, pub songs, their own take on select pop hits, and now original works. Click here to download or listen to "Black Cat" featured on Celtic Aire's debut recording, "As I Roved Out."

And last, but certainly not least, coming in first place in "Category 49: Outstanding New Public Affairs Musician" was Technical Sgt. Hannah Rigg, a soprano vocalist in the Singing Sergeants.

A native of Tomball, Texas, Rigg's career in the Air Force began in August 2013. She received a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. She then received a Master of Music degree from The Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. Click here to read Rigg's full bio.

In a congratulatory email to the award winners, Col. Larry Lang commended, "This is an enormous achievement!" He continued, "Thank you for your tremendous contributions to our organization and to our Air Force. Bravo!"

Whole-hearted congratulations to these four Airmen musicians on being recognized with these Air Force wide awards!