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K-State Today

March 19, 2019

JMC professor's documentary recognized by AVA Gold Award

Submitted by A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Tom Hallaq's most recent documentary, "The Pipes at All Faiths Chapel," has been recognized as a Gold award recipient in the AVA Digital Awards 2019 competition.

Hallaq, assistant professor from the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications, partnered with David Pickering, university organist and associate professor of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, to tell the story of the Memorial Organ at All Faiths Chapel through this video documentary. Dedicated in 1956, All Faiths Chapel memorializes K-State family members who lost their lives serving in World War II and the Korean War.

The documentary features original performances by Pickering and his daughter, Audrey, who was then a K-State freshman and student of her father. Eric Johnson, head voicer of Quimby Pipe Organs and curator of the All Faiths Chapel organ, was interviewed for the documentary along with Jeffrey Ward, school director, and several alumni and friends of the All Faiths Chapel.

AVA Digital Awards is an international competition that recognizes outstanding work by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design and production of media that is part of the evolution of digital communication.

AVA Digital Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. This year included 2,500 entries from throughout the United States, Canada, and 23 other countries. The top 16 percent of the entries won Platinum and around 21 percent the Gold Award. Approximately 8 percent were honorable mention winners.

Platinum and Gold Winners are listed on the website at avaawards.com. The winner database can be searched by city, state and category. Hallaq produces his video work under the name The Black Tag Kompany, named by using the initials of his three sons.

Hallaq's documentary aired in January on KTWU, Kansas Public Television and again on March 10. It can also be viewed online.

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