What is the Junior ATC?
2019 Junior ATC 1st place Singer, Quiana Morris shares her experience in the Junior ATC.
The JUNIOR ATC is the major educational outreach initiative of the American Traditions Vocal Collection. Open to high school students in Savannah, Georgia and the surrounding region, this opportunity is for highly motivated students in their high school years.
The Junior ATC teaches confidence through positive and constructive written feedback, private coaching sessions, and artistic freedom in programming. Each student will practice crafting their own musical program of three contrasting musical selections, practice auditioning, and practice not only taking musical and dramatic feedback, but implementing it in real time. Through this singing initiative, students will experience rapid growth as a solo performer and gain deeper self-awareness and greater self-confidence. We hope that the Junior ATC will encourage these students to continue their enthusiasm for classic genres of American music.
Who supports the Junior ATC?
Learn more about our just-past Junior ATC (Fall 2023) by clicking on the image of the program, or learn about our past winners here.
Our next Junior ATC will take place in Fall 2024. Details will be announced soon, as well as information about how to apply, how to prepare and a spring audition workshop!
Junior ATC Rules:
2020 Junior ATC Winner, Colleen Allard-Smith (L) with 2019 Junior ATC Winner, Quiana Morris (R). Photo by Kellee Haselton.
Each singer must create a program of three varying songs representing three different genres of classic, American music. No genre may be repeated, and each song must be performed in the correct style.
At the initial audition, each singer will choose to start with one song from their program of three selections which they will sing in its entirety. The panelists may then decide they will hear another full selection, both other selections, parts of the remaining selections, or they may decide they have heard what they need from the initial song.
No more than ten (10) singers will be passed on to the coaching and Final concert portion of the Junior ATC.
Each singer must submit their music as a .pdf document on their application.
Singers should be prepared to sing their entire program for the Final Concert.
Junior ATC FAQ:
2023 Fall Junior ATC Contestant, Asante Hodges performs with Charles Ancheta at the piano. Photo by Sal Andrade.
What genres are recognized in the Junior ATC?
Art Song, Folk, Great American Songbook, Musical Theatre, Popular Music of 1950-1980 (Motown, Disco, Funk, Rock, Rockabilly, Singer-Songwriter - these and all of the other musical styles from this time period are all ok!), Songs by Johnny Mercer (Lyrics OR music - does not have to be both), and Spirituals.
What makes a song “American”?
For our purposes, American music is defined as being written by a composer who holds United States Citizenship. If the lyricist is a different person, and they do not hold U.S. Citizenship, that is ok!
Who can apply?
Any high school student in the region who loves to sing can apply. If you will be a freshman in the fall, or if you are a senior in the fall, you can still apply for the Junior ATC. In past years, students from Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama have applied to the Junior ATC and taken part in the process.
What are some songs to avoid?
Many songs we think are written by American composers, like Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and many Disney songs. Songs written by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John, Joni Mitchell, David Foster, and Leonard Cohen are not allowed. (Although we love them, too!)
What happens if you perform well in the Junior ATC?
We have financial awards for our top three student performers ($750, $500, and $250), and also offer performance opportunities at our professional ATC events throughout our season.
Does it cost anything to apply?
No - this event is free for all students who wish to take part.
Take a listen to 2020 Junior ATC Winner, Colleen Allard-Smith discuss her time in the Junior ATC with local Savannah radio station, WRUU’s Dave Lake:
Fall 2023 Junior ATC winners with our Judges, Hannah Zazzaro (Singing Actor and Recording Artist, and ATC People’s Choice Winner), Ryan McCurdy (Executive Artistic Director, Savannah Rep), and Mike Evariste (SCAD Senior Ensembles Director and Tony-winning Broadway Producer and actor).
Spring 2023 Junior ATC Winners with our Judges, Doug Wamble (Internationally respected Blues musician and educator atThe Juilliard School), Nicole Zuraitis (two-time Grammy nominee, and 2021 ATC Gold Medalist) and Laiken Love (Savannah’s top vocalist!).
2019 Junior ATC singers at the Finals concert with Judges David Pratt (Executive Director, Austin Symphony), Roger Moss (Co-Founder, Savannah Children’s Choir), and Dr. Briana Sosenheimer (Lecturer Voice/Opera, Georgia Southern University). Photo by John Carrington.
2020 Junior ATC singers at the Finals concert with Judges Tegan Miller (Founder, MTC Music Academy), Dr. Amy Williams (Executive Director, Savannah Philharmonic), and Roger Moss (Co-Founder, Savannah Children’s Choir). Photo by David Guggenheim.