What is the ATC?
Past Gold Medalists congratulate 2018 Gold Medalist, Erica Gabriel, following her win at the 25th Anniversary of the ATC. Photo by John Carrington.
The American Traditions Vocal Competition was born of the desire to foster and preserve traditions of musical expression, which have been significant in the culture of the United States, both in past eras and at the present time. In contrast to many music competitions that focus on European repertoire, the American Traditions Competition celebrates the repertoire that represents both the art and the popular cultures of our country.
The Competition embraces and recognizes the validity of the many performance styles that emanate from this repertoire. It subscribes to belief that, although some of the styles were born in an environment of spontaneous expression and at one time or another enjoyed widespread popularity, these musical forms evolved to incorporate identifiable characteristics of excellence and artistic integrity. These qualities form the basis of adjudication in the American Traditions Vocal Competition.
Since 1993, our competition has fostered a heightened appreciation for and celebration of these varying forms of musical expression. It is our hope we will all become more intensely aware of this fact: at the heart of our beauty and strength as a people is our diversity.