Recent News And Updates.

November 26, 2008 by Masterclass Lady 28 Comments


Christmas is a-coming and that means that I am busier than usual at this exciting time of year. Isn’t everyone? It’s the holiday season and time to celebrate all the glorious festivities that will be celebrated around the globe.

I thought it would neat to provide a link to the various feast days that are revered by every person of every faith at this time of year. Is it any wonder that, come January, we are all exhausted? But, it certainly is a magical time of year and I wait in child-like anticipation each year for December to arrive. Doesn’t everbody?

So, my “Masterclass” writing has taken a backseat to the visits and dinners and concerts and musical preparations that inevitably coincide during the latter part of November and all of December.

I have yet to review David Archuleta’s and David Cook’s CDs, although there are a couple of articles below this one about their recording success.

This will happen, along with a review of The Canadian Tenors’ glorious new CD, as well as more news about Jaydee Bixby and a follow-up to Matt Humphrey’s video.

And could someone bring me up to date on Jason Castro’s activities? When is he going to sing to us again via the internet? I want to hear some soulful holiday music from Jason and David A. -a duet, perhaps?

And stay tuned for a Masterclass review of the outstanding new holiday CD, Remember December, by Canadian a cappella group, The Essentials. I just saw them in concert with the Timmins Concert Singers and they rocked the house “big time”. Love you guys!

So, as you can see, I will be a busy little Masterclass elf, won’t I? So, thank you for your patience and to all my American friends, Happy Thanksgiving.

Copyright © 2008. MasterclassLady.Com. All rights reserved.


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Christmas, David Archuleta, David Cook, Harmony Street Studio, Holidays, Jaydee Bixby, Matt Humphreys, Rosanne Simunovic, The Canadian Tenors, The Essentials, Vocal Masterclass Articles

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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28 Responses to “Recent News And Updates.”

  1. marc November 26, 2008 at 11:16 pm

    Thanks for the update MCL, Enjoy the season!

    Like

  2. Erin November 26, 2008 at 11:17 pm

    Crush has officially been certified platinum & David’s album is halfway from going gold (250k copies have been sold)!!

    Like

  3. masterclasslady November 27, 2008 at 9:06 am

    Go David! Also, I love his new website. Gorgeous. Happy Thanksgiving

    Like

  4. janey November 27, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    MCL treat yourself to David’s AOL Sessions videos. Be sure to tell us what you think !!!

    http://music.aol.com/video/crush-sessions/david-archuleta/2329060

    gosh, I hope this doesn’t post twice…

    Like

  5. janey November 28, 2008 at 10:11 am

    MCL…I tried posting the link to David’s AOL Sessions and for some reason I’m not able to. Please check them out and tell us what you think of these 5 stunning performances !!!!

    Like

  6. amber November 28, 2008 at 1:47 pm

    http://music.aol.com/video/crush-sessions/david-archuleta/2329060

    Please give us your opinion on David A’s AOL Sessions. I personally think they are AMAZING!!

    Like

  7. --bianca November 29, 2008 at 2:02 pm

    Yes, MCL, please comment on the Sessions. I don’t think David has EVER sung better, particularly considering that these are his first performances of 4 of the 5 songs and he doesn’t have an audience to feed off of. The band is so different from the mix on the album that it allows David’s voice to shine even brighter. I cannot wait to see David at Jingle Ball next week (waves at Janey, with whom I’m going! 😀 )

    Like

  8. Rereader November 30, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    Hi, MCL!! Jason did better than a midnight video–he headlined his first concert last night!

    A fan captured most (although not all) of the concert on video:

    Love Uncompromised (by Jason Castro)

    Hallelujah

    Sweet Medicine (by Jason Castro)

    It’s All Right With Me (by Jason Castro)

    So Fast (by Jason Castro)

    (?? Don’t know the title!) (by Jason Castro)
    http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=N0oBjYZZOP4&feature=channel

    Daydream
    http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=dHnaWKjEo-Q&feature=channel

    Shine Your Light (by Jason Castro)
    http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=lmc2PRuQSeY

    (Jason may have had collaborators on one or two of the songs, but if so I am not aware of it.)

    Enjoy!! I’m so interested to know what you think!

    Like

  9. masterclasslady November 30, 2008 at 9:02 pm

    Hey everyone!

    Just, just returned from a mini-vacation. I see I have a bit of “catching up” on my “to do” list. Will address all this exciting news very soon.

    Thanks for stopping by and keeping this blog current.

    Like

  10. Rereader November 30, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    Ooops! I should have added, the fan who was good enough to not only capture the Jason’s performance but to upload the videos immediately is ksdreamin06!

    Like

  11. janey December 2, 2008 at 1:10 am

    For a very special Christmas treat be sure and go to either FOD or Snarky Archies to catch a bit of David’s performance with The Osmond’s Second Generation from last Saturday night in Utah.

    As our friend Daisychain said ” the soul man of Utah popped out!”

    These minute and a half snippets leave me begging for a spiritual album from David. David…please!!!

    Like

  12. janey December 2, 2008 at 2:41 am

    We now have links !!!

    ENJOY!

    Like

  13. masterclasslady December 2, 2008 at 9:37 am

    Oh no – more links. You people are way ahead of me. Thanks for sending these along Janey and ReReader, I have yet to find a moment to look and hear Jason’s performances.

    Plus – I still have to listen to David’s AOL sessions.

    I have to teach a few students today – so, hopefully tonight. Fingers crossed.

    Like

  14. janey December 2, 2008 at 10:17 am

    Masterclasslady…

    I’m soooo sorry, when it comes to sharing David’s spectacular gift I find it impossible to contain myself.

    Am I forgiven?

    Like

  15. Erin December 2, 2008 at 11:14 am

    And MCL, we are all still waiting on your review of David’s album!!

    Like

  16. Rereader December 2, 2008 at 11:22 am

    Have a great day, MCL! We don’t want you to drive yourself into the ground, after all…

    Like

  17. masterclasslady December 2, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Hi everyone:

    I am hiding this information in the comments section here -don’t want to make a big deal.

    However, I am having a recurring problem with the right side of my mouth – the bone/gum area is really inflamed and I am going to need some dental surgery to correct the problem area.

    It’s not a major deal, but the pain is wearing me down, so I am resting more than usual.

    So, I am waiting for a call from the surgeon – not too sure if this is happening before or after the holiday season.

    I thought that this problem was far behind me, but, it seems not! This is been going on since September, as some of you may remember.

    So, that explains the lack of content for this blog. However, I will do my best here to add some new material ASAP. I feel that my first order of business is reviewing the new material from David Archuleta, Jason Castro and David Cook.

    Hopefully, as the week progresses, this will happen. It is fairly quiet here now – just the odd student here and there – so this gives me more time to write.

    Thanks for your patience and support. You people are truly the very best!

    Like

  18. Erin December 2, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    Ouch!! Sorry to hear that. Hope everything goes ok. Did you listen to David’s AOL sessions?

    Like

  19. marc December 2, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    Hey MCL, you get better, that’s the first order of business. I’m looking forward to your review of DA’s AOL sessions when you’re ready.

    Like

  20. Rereader December 2, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    MCL–take care of yourself. First things first, and the very first thing is to see to your health! Refu’ah sh’laymah (Hebrew for “a complete recovery”)!

    Like

  21. Rereader December 2, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    Here’s a little something just to put a smile on your face (not to review, just to enjoy)–a 1-minute vblog by Jason, from backstage right before the Saturday concert!

    http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=8aV-38mVjBo

    Like

  22. janey December 3, 2008 at 12:03 am

    MCL….I have to agree here with marc. You first!

    The videos and all your readers will wait patiently until you are up to speed. No worries, we will keep the home fires burning.

    Like

  23. Hazelnut40 December 3, 2008 at 12:58 am

    Hi MCL… yes we all agree that your first order of business is taking care of YOU….we are sending positive vibes your way and hope you have a smooth recovery from your surgery and/or treatment. We will be right here when you return. 🙂

    Like

  24. masterclasslady December 3, 2008 at 9:54 am

    Thanks everyone. I appreciate your good wishes and patience. The way I see it, there are far worse problems than this, so I feel blessed.

    Rereader – i had a look see at Jason’s 1 minute video – very adorable and it started the day off in a positive way.

    Will be back later. xo

    Like

  25. Rereader December 3, 2008 at 11:13 pm

    Glad you enjoyed it, MCL! (I always like a nice jolt of joy!) Feel better!

    Like

  26. janey December 4, 2008 at 1:07 pm

    MCL…I had a spectacular time at David’s first Jingle Ball concert last night. He rocked the house and had everyone standing and screaming throughout the entire set. His singing was pitch perfect and he owned the stage !!! He nailed every song…all 5, and left us begging for more.

    Should you desire the links, I will post them.

    Like

  27. masterclasslady December 4, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    Janey – yes – please send me the links ASAP. I am glad you had a great time.

    And, why am I not surprised that David nailed each and every song?

    Even when he has an “off” day, he still sounds very good to me.

    Like

  28. janey December 4, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    MCL….David looked beyond happy and sounded incredible. It was unbelievable to be 10 rows back at one of his first appearances away from AI with his own band.

    Here are the links. They will take awhile to post as I have all 5 for you.

    In order of appearance…

    Credit to Starrynite01 for an amazing job !!! Thank you Starry !

    Like