The American Traditions Vocal Competition returns for its highly anticipated 25^th Silver Jubilee anniversary season Feb. 19-23, 2018. With an outstanding line up of 28 contestants, three new judges, and three veteran pianists, this year’s performances are sure to entertain audiences of all ages.

This year’s judges include leading writer of vocal music that spans art song and opera Ricky Ian Gordon; New York-based soul singer, songwriter, and Broadway chanteuse Morgan James; and chart-topping Gospel singer from Oakland’s Gospel family, Lynette Hawkins Stephens. Crowd-pleasing pianists return, with Anastasia Victory and David Shenton celebrating eight years of incredible pianistic collaboration at the competition, and Wilson Southerland joining for his fourth year.

Michael Maliakel, 2016 ATC Gold Medal winner, will join this year’s competition as emcee. Maliakel received his earliest vocal training as a treble in the American Boychoir and continued his education at Georgetown University and the Peabody Institute of Music. In summer 2017, he played Hemant Rai in the thrice-extended world premiere musical production, Monsoon Wedding at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

The American Traditions Vocal Competition was established as the premiere vocal competition focusing on classic American music. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts institution, the organization is also dedicated to educating the public about not only the breadth of American musical repertoire, but also the cultural diversity naturally present in American music. This annual competition awards over $40,000 in cash prizes. As part of community-driven service and initiative, the organization provides music education, exposure and performances for Savannah locals of all ages.

The 2018 competition kicks off with a Judge’s Concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 at Skidaway Island United Methodist Church, 54 Diamond Causeway, on Skidaway Island. Guests will enjoy an evening of music with performances by all three ATC judges. Tickets to this concert cost $25 each.

At 4 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 and Wednesday, Feb. 21, the 28 quarterfinalists will perform three diverse, American songs each at SIUMC in the hopes of advancing to the semifinals. The first half of contestants competes on Tuesday, and the remaining contestants will put it all on the line Wednesday. Day Passes for the Quarterfinals cost $20 each.

The 12 artists who are selected from the quarterfinal rounds will sing their next set of three songs at the semifinals, slated for 4 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at SIUMC. Day passes for the semifinal rounds cost $30 each.

The cream of the crop will compete for top honors and prizes during the final round at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at the Historic Savannah Theatre, 222 Bull St. New for 2018, the People’s Choice award winners from each round will also perform in the finals. General seating tickets cost $35 and premium seating costs $50 a piece to see these finalists sing their hearts out to win the coveted medals.

This year’s competition will also include an outreach Master Class, slated for 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 at the Savannah Theatre. This class, which is free and open to the public, provides ATC fans and supporters with an opportunity to watch the three ATC judges in action as they each work with contestants to demonstrate their different styles of teaching.

The ATC requires singers to create three rounds of three different songs, all written by American composers. Each song must represent a different musical genre for a total of nine. The purpose behind this is for singers to learn about different genres of music as well as the history, the roots, the key players, and the stylistic nuance of each genre. The ATC recognizes the following genres of American music: Opera, Musical Theatre, Hollywood, Jazz, Folk, Country, Pop/Rock Singer-Songwriters (1980-today), Art Song, Gospel, Songs of Johnny Mercer, Blues, Religious Music, Popular Music of 1950-1980, Great American Songbook, and Cabaret. 

All 28 contestants chosen for the ATC will be awarded a cash prize. Every quarterfinalist receives $300 for being selected by the ATC and semifinalists each receive $600. The first-place ATC Gold Medal Award winner receives $12,000, sponsored by Elizabeth Oxnard, and a paid solo performance with the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra. The runner-up will receive the Silver Medal and $6,000 sponsored by Patty and Heyward Gignilliat. The third-place Bronze Medal Award of $3,000 is sponsored by Enmarket Stations, Inc. The fourth-place prize of $1,200 is sponsored by Kay and Don Gardner, and Savannah Friends of Music sponsors the fifth-place prize of $1,2000.

The “Think Outside the Book” Award of $500 – new for 2018 – is sponsored by Steven Gross as MusicalTheaterSongs.com.  This award will be given to a contestant for the best rendition of a selection from the web database’s categories of “Not Heard a Lot” or “Rare Find” during the Quarterfinal or Semifinal rounds. The Johnny Mercer Award, for Best Johnny Mercer Performance, is sponsored by The Friends of Johnny Mercer, Inc., and Armstrong State University. This award of $750 will be awarded for songs performed during the Quarterfinal or Semifinal rounds. The $750 Toian Bowser-Alexander Award is given in memory of the late Ms. Toian Alexander, the first Treasurer of the ATC, and is sponsored by her husband, James Edward Alexander. The award is given to the contestant who exhibits helpfulness to others, encouragement and supportiveness and is voted on by fellow contestants. The Sherrill Milnes Opera Award winner will receive $500, sponsored by Barry and Naomi Cohen, for the best American aria. The $500 Ben Tucker Jazz Award is presented for the best Jazz performance and is given by Mrs. Gloria Tucker in honor of her late husband’s legacy and is sponsored by the Dr. David A. and Dr. Margaret M. Cohen Charitable Foundation. One Quarterfinalist and one Semifinalist not advancing to the next round will be presented with the $500 Richard Chambless’ People’s Choice Award. This award, given by Swann Seiler, is presented in memory of her dear friend, Richard Chambless.

At the helm of the ATC is the Board of Directors, which is led by President Daniel C. Cohen. Allen Henderson is currently the Vice President and President-elect. Jim Wann serves as Secretary while Barbara Jenks holds the role of Treasurer. Mikki Sodergren holds the position of Artistic Director. The remaining board members include Heyward Gignilliat, Elizabeth Oxnard, Les Anderson, Carol Bell, Patty Gignilliat, Nathan Godley, Maddie Harwood, Starr Holland, Susan Kleine, Dottie Kluttz, Beckett Spreng, Bill Udry, Dick Wallace, Debby Warner, Susan Whitaker, and F. Michael Zaller.

“I am tremendously looking forward to my sixth consecutive year with the ATC and feel extremely honored to be serving as the artistic director for this amazing competition’s 25^th anniversary season,” Sodergren said. “It has been very special for me to participate with the ATC over the years in various roles, including as a contestant. Each year of this competition is better than the last and we owe it all to the incredible support we receive from the Savannah community. I can’t wait to see the level of talent brought to the competition this year!”

To learn more about the ATC or to purchase tickets, please visit www.americantraditionscompetition.com.