Savannah Music Festival Announces Quarterfinalists
for the 15th Annual American Traditions Competition
Select vocalists vie for more than $30,000 in cash awards and other prizes in four-day event
SAVANNAH, Georgia – The 15th annual American Traditions Competition returns to its original venue, the historic First African Baptist Church, for this year’s final round at Savannah Music Festival. The illustrious four-day vocal showcase hosts 33 singers from around the United States between March 26 and 29, 2008. Judges narrowed the field of talent to these gifted vocalists after receiving the greatest number of applicants in the last five years.
A panel of three judges spent several days independently listening to and critiquing all applicants. Timothy Hall, Minister of Music at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church remarks, “There were many talented vocalists this year. It will be exciting to see who makes it all the way.†Every quarterfinalist who competes in Savannah is guaranteed a $250 award. The Oxnard Gold Medalist wins $10,000, second place receives $5000 with the Courtney Knight Gaines Foundation Silver Medal, and the Stanton Bronze Medal garners $2500. The two runners-up each receive $1000.
All contestants compete in Quarterfinal rounds at Trinity United Methodist Church on March 26-27 at 11:00 am and 2:30 pm. Of those quarterfinalists, twelve are selected to move on to the Semifinal rounds on March 28, each receiving a $500 cash award. Five contestants are chosen to compete in the Finals on March 29 at the First African Baptist Church. All rounds of the competition are open to the public. For ticket information, call (912) 525-5050 or visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org.
Quarterfinalists for the 15th Annual American Traditions Competition include:
David Bankston Conway, SC
John Brancy Mullica Hill, NJ
Abigail Burke Antioch, TN
Chelsea Chandler Germantown, TN
Catherine Clarke Maysville, KY
Kemba Cofield Ellenwood, GA
Shirley Crabbe Orangeburg, NY
Minnita Daniel-Cox Ypsilanti, MI
Nicole Dillenberg Los Angeles, CA
Todd Donovan St. Petersburg, FL
Alan Dunbar Bloomington, IN
Georgene Fountain Germantown, MD
Angela Gorman Springfield, OH
Blythe Gruda New York, NY
Teri Dale Hansen New York, NY
Pamela Hart Cedar Park, TX
Richard Heard Winston-Salem, NC
Morgan James Astoria, NY
Dennis Jeter Stroudsburg, PA
Laura Jones Durham, NC
Amy Justman New York, NY
Tom Krebs Loveland, CO
Ashley Logan Princeton, NJ
Christy Manso New York, NY
Vicki Mills Savannah, GA
Leslie Soich Denver, CO
Leenya Rideout New York, NY
Alize Rozsnyai San Diego, CA
Derrick Smith Rochester, NY
Josef Spencer Miami, FL
Haviland Stillwell New York, NY
Kylie Watson Marietta, GA
Claire Watts Savannah, GA