Thank you so much for applying to the American Traditions Vocal Competition, taking place from February 8 - 12, 2027. Fly in will be February 7 and fly out will be February 13! Please read all instructions carefully! As you fill out this application form, please be sure:
-All composers listed hold United States citizenship. We double check this, and so should you :)
- Quarterfinal, Semifinal and Final live rounds use a pianist as a collaborator. One song in your total package of nine may be self-accompanied, but piano is the easiest transition. Each round is timed, so managing the length of your program is imperative.
- All self-accompaniment instruments will be handled on a case-by-case basis and must be discussed with our Director, not assumed.
- Each song in your total offering of nine songs must represent a different genre, and no genres can repeat. That means only one Musical Theatre out of nine, only one Jazz or Opera out of nine.
- Please find alternative words to replace profanity in songs, as this is a family-oriented event with a wholesome atmosphere.
- You are aware that our application deadline is Sunday, September 27 at midnight PST, (which means a short while after September 28 begins in EST).
- While original music is allowed, only one song may be original in your full program of nine.
Additionally, please be aware that our Final Round offers each artist the option to add a bass player and a drummer, at no cost to the singer. The bass player works with and will bring both electric and upright bass. Contestants must be prepared with printed charts for each player, taped to avoid page turns, should they advance to the Final Round. We have a music director who can and will write proper charts for you, and will double check the charts you have. When in doubt, you should have your competition pianist double check for you.
In an effort for transparency, the ATC actively looks for singers who demonstrate strong intonation, posess a beautiful vocal tone, offer engaging and diverse programming and who are stylistically successful in these programming choices. Merely programming diverse offerings isn't the point of our competition - our contest is a celebration and exploration of all classic styles of American song. We encourage you to listen deeply to different styles and artists. If you like one song you've heard Ella Fitzgerald sing, you should listen to ten other arrangements by her contemporaries to get a true sense of style, not just a sense that you like Ms. Fitzgerald's arrangement. This is a competition where your artistry is required, your point of view is acknowledged and there are no bounds on programming based on other industry boxes. We enourage you to have fun with it!
Application fee schedule:
April 15 - June 15, 2026 $25
June 16 - August 15, 2026 $40
August 16 - September 15, 2026 $55
September 16 - September 27, 2026 $65
If you have questions about programming, general competition questions, composer questions, eligibility questions, or song recommendations, please reach out to Executive and Artistic Director Mikki Sodergren at director@atcsavannah.org. We are also on Facebook and Instagram (@atcsavannah) and are most happy to answer your questions!
The ATC actively seeks multi-genre singers from all backgrounds, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. All auditions are pre-screened by a panel of three music professionals who receive no identifying information about any applicants, in an effort to offer the most fair outcome.