American Traditions Vocal Competition set to return with new contestants

Now in its 31st year, the American Traditions Vocal Competition (ATC) will present a competitive concert series at Plant Riverside's District Live from Feb. 19 to 23.

The competition will start off with 24 singers from around the country who will compete through several rounds, each lasting 90 minutes with six performers each round, according to Mikki Sodergren, the executive and artistic director of the ATC. 

"Then the five finalists compete on Friday night and we give away over $40,000 in prize money. The top prize is $12,000 cash, and they get to perform at the Savannah Philharmonic in the fall," said Sodergren.

Singers for the competition are selected through an involved process where three judges listen to submitted audio recordings that are accepted every year from May through October. Sodergren said this application process leads to a diverse line-up of performers including a recent college grad and a few who have had leading roles on Broadway. 

  
"This year we have several singers who are in the armed forces, they're all taking leave of absences from the Army and the Navy, etc., to come down and perform. We have Tony nominated singers, we have internationally recognized opera singers performing, and we have some incredible jazz singers, as well," she said.

The opening night concert on Monday, Feb. 19, will be at 7pm and unlike years past will include performances by ATC's judges in addition to past competition winners and the winner of their high school competition.

"What's really unique about our competitions is it's not just one style of music. We're based in traditional styles of American music, hence the title and so it's all these different kinds of American music- it's folk music, it's country, it's jazz, musical theater, pop music, contemporary songs, a huge array of music. There's opera, there's gospel, there's spirituals and we say, if you don't like the song that's being performed, just wait one song, you'll probably like the next one," Sodergren said.

There will be three judges for the competition including SCAD alumni and  American Idol contestant George Lovett who was also a Bronze Medalist in ATC's 2019 competition. Award-winning jazz vocalist, Jane Monheit, and David Lomeli, the Chief Artistic Officer of Santa Fe Opera will also be judging.

Audience members will also get to particiapte and vote in what's called the People's Choice Award. "It happens with the full round of the quarterfinals and the full round of the semifinals. So the audience gets to vote on their favorites and the people who get the highest score, who are not progressing in the competition, they get that award based on the audience votes, which is really cool," Sodergren said.


The competition is a breeding ground to find the best local talent in the country. "There are several other orchestras around the country also that week with bated breath to offer contracts to the winners as well. It's a pretty cool competition and if you like music, this is the place to be," she said.

The winner of ATC's 2021 competition, Nicole Zuraitis, recently won a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Zuraitis has also performed with the Savannah Philharmonic as well as the Savannah Jazz Festival. 

"These are the best singers in the country. There's a reason why symphonies reach out to us asking for our artists, because they are in high demand." 

For those new to the competition, Sodergren said, "It's a great way to expand your horizons as a listener and expose yourself to new music, but also just a cool community event to check out that a lot of people don't even know about."

Performances will be held at 4pm and 7:30pm throughout the week. Tickets are limited and can be purchased for individual rounds as well as a week-long pass. For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit: atcsavannah.org.