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Airman wins talent contest, more

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Angela Ruiz
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  A Wolf Pack Airman recently returned to Kunsan Air Base after winning a first place prize at the Air Force Worldwide Talent competition.

Airman First Class Malcolm Hudson, 8th Maintenance Squadron earned a first place "Roger" award in the male vocalist/self accompanied category. The munitions systems apprentice from the 8th Maintenance Squadron, participated in the event at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 11-19

"When I won I was ecstatic and surprised" he said, "Who knew there are so many talented musicians in the Air Force?"

According to Airman Hudson, approximately 80 airmen competed in the 10-day competition. Contestants across the six main talent categories were evaluated for their possible selection to the 2009 Tops In Blue team. First-place trophies are called the "Roger" while second-place trophies are called the "Wilco".

Airman Hudson knew this contest would take much preparation so he trained for it diligently.

"I just focused on my music and made sure that I knew my piece as well as I could," he said. "And I added in many hours of critiques from my peers and my Team leaders."

The Dallas native has spent more than five years studying vocal training between high school and the Southern Methodist University. Half of that time was spent with a focus on operatic interpretation which he said gave him tremendous vocal technique training. His introduction to music came at the age of just 3-years-old when he began taking piano lessons.

"Playing the piano and singing became a hobby," he said. "I started singing seriously in High School."

Airman Hudson's good fortune continued after returning to Kunsan. He was recently informed by his chain of command that he was accepted for the Tops and Blue team and will begin travelling the world on the 2009 tour soon.

"What makes music so appealing to me, it gives you the ability to take any sound and make it as beautifully as you would like" he said. "As cliché as it sounds, your imagination really is your limit."

Airman Hudson is currently pursuing a degree in vocal performance with 80 credits already completed and has a dream of one day teaching vocalists, training choirs and directing bands.