Sigma Alpha Iota

10 Summer 2024 • sai-national.org The American Traditions Vocal Competition (ATC) began in Savannah, GA in 1994 when its first Artistic Director, Mr. Stewart Gordon, conceived of a competition for singers based on the traditional classical model but that focused specifically on repertoire significant to the culture of the United States, with music from varying genres: jazz, pop, Broadway, Hollywood, gospel, traditional spirituals, early popular songs from US history, and art songs by American composers. e ATC's website (atcsavannah.org) shares a great deal of information on past events and current endeavors, including its educational programs and the Junior ATC. Listed among the competition's many adjudicators over the years are: Ysaye Barnwell (founder of female vocal group Sweet Honey in the Rock), Sheldon Harnick (lyricist for Fiddler on the Roof and other Broadway successes), Shirley Jones (Broadway and Hollywood star), Sheila Jordan (legendary jazz singer), Spiro Malas (opera star), SAI Honorary Marni Nixon (Hollywood overdubbing star), Odetta (legendary gospel and spiritual star), Jane Powell (Hollywood musical star), Della Reese (pop and jazz star), Charles Strouse (composer of Annie and other Broadway successes), SAI Honorary Blanche ebom (classical concert and opera star), and Margaret Whiting (pop and jazz star). Mikki Sodergren is the current Executive and Artistic Director of the American Traditions Vocal Competition. Prior to and during her appointment, Sodergren continues an active career as a performer. She joined the Full-Time Chorus Roster for the Metropolitan Opera in the 22/23 season. Sodergren has performed with symphonies around the country and world, including the Asheville Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony, the Washington Bach Consort, the Tel Aviv Chamber Orchestra, and many more. She has toured internationally with the lauded e English Concert, conducted by Harry Bicket, and has developed new musicals for Disney eatricals, e National eatre of Great Britain, and NYU, among others. Ms. Sodergren is the 2014 Winner of the American Traditions Vocal Competition. Aer the ATC had a 2023 event in conjunction with the Asheville Symphony in Asheville, NC (the hometown of our SAI National Headquarters), we were very pleased to correspond with Ms. Sodergren in November 2023 about her work at ATC and the programs offered. What brought you to the ATC and what is your role within the organization? My role at the ATC is that of Artistic and Executive Director. I first came to the ATC back in 2013 as a competitor, where I took 2nd place. Already hooked on the message and the group of musicians this organization attracts, I applied again and competed in 2014 where I won the coveted Gold Medal. Working in Savannah, Georgia in various capacities with different organizations, and maintaining my relationships with the board members helped me to be top of mind when the time came to appoint a new Artistic Director in 2017. Following the harrowing arts year of 2020, the board and I agreed we wanted to create an Executive Director role that I would inhabit for the time being. I have proudly served since! What are the basic requirements for the competition and how were they developed? e basic requirements of the professional vocal competition that our organization produces annually are representing nine different songs by American composers and songwriters, each of which represents a different genre of classically American music. It is both simpler and more difficult than it sounds, and that is mostly due to how much of an overlap in styles of music exists in our country's musical history—everything is borne out of something else. e competition was developed in 1992 and 1993 by Stewart Gordon and Elizabeth Stewart, who were running the Savannah Music Festival at the time (then, Savannah Onstage). It was originally created as a vehicle for Black women to perform Black Cpetition Celebrating and Preserving American Music Erica Gabriel, who after winning the competition in 2018 (their 25th winner), has gone on to headline Erica Gabriel, who after winning the competition in 2018 (their 25th winner), has gone on to headline with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, The Jacksonville Symphony, the Asheville Symphony, the Tallahassee with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, The Jacksonville Symphony, the Asheville Symphony, the Tallahassee Symphony, and also has sung with the Chicago Symphony. Standing directly in front of her is their first-ever Symphony, and also has sung with the Chicago Symphony. Standing directly in front of her is their first-ever winner, Ernestine Dillard. Erica is surrounded by gold medalists, welcoming her to the ATC family. winner, Ernestine Dillard. Erica is surrounded by gold medalists, welcoming her to the ATC family.

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