American Traditions Competition 2016

The American Traditions Competition took place a couple of weeks ago in Savannah, Georgia. What an AMAZING competition hosted in such a historic gem of a town! 

I had SUCH a good time there, There really simply is not another competition like this one anywhere that I have ever heard of! It is WAY better than anything else out there.

Here is the video from my first round performance, please give it a whirl! In every round you have to select three diverse genres, so in this one, I started with the "folk" genre, with The Water is Wide, then the "Operetta" genre with Kiss Me Again (Herbert), and lastly the "Spirituals" genre, with my arrangement of He Never Said a Mumblin' Word. ​​

Singers get to sing ANYTHING! It is terribly exciting. Although I did not win, I did progress to the semi-finals, (the semi-finalists were just astounding!) and out of the semi-finalists that were chosen, I was honored with the audience favorite: "Richard Chambless People's Choice" award.

It was a privilege to have even been participating in a competition with folks who are on Broadway, or winners of internationally renowned competitions, people who are singing at the Met and other major opera houses all over the world, songwriters, and people who have released several of their own albums... and there is no age limit to the competition, which is also cool!

Breaking it down at the semi-finals! Annastasia Victory, pianist extraordinaire backing me up! Photo credit: John Carrington

The competition kicks off with 28 quarter-finalists, from all over the United States and even Canada, who were selected from the pre-screening application process. The competition generously reimbursed our travel costs, and hosted us while there, I am SO grateful to my WONDERFUL host & sponsors, Michael & Gail Siegel. Who undoubtedly are definitely the best hosts EVER. 

 The competition has three intense rounds spanning over five days. Other highlights from the week feature the past winners and the judges of the competition performing in concerts and also giving a masterclass. The whole operation is really quite amazingly run by phenomenal teams of volunteers and sponsors, and the artistic consultant (and past gold medal winner) Vale Rideout and his assistant the beautiful 2014 winner Mikki Sodergren.

With the infallible David Shenton on the keys, at the masterclass

Opera SUPER STAR Deborah Voigt was on schedule to be one of the judges and to give the masterclass, but unfortunately she fell ill and was not able to be there--but cabaret legend Marilyn Maye was also a judge and I had the privilege of being selected to sing a masterclass with her, she was GREAT. 

And it was SUCH a fun experience to meet and mingle with other artists who like to bend the rules and 'sing all the things' ! ​My hat is off to the winners & finalists: I just can't believe their phenomenal performances: especially First place winner, Michael Maliakel, and Second place Rebecca Orodisio, and Third place Aundi-Mari Moore - what a treat to get to connect with you, and what an educational week filled with glorious voices and terrific art.

​And a serious shout out to the FREAK GENIUSES on the keys.... Annastasia Victory & David Shenton

​I am SO happy to have had this experience and so grateful to those who are responsible for 'running the show'.  Cheers! I look forward to the next competition already!


Photo credits: John Carrington Photography
​-
Rachel