American Idol Season 9 Vocal Masterclass Discussion Thread: Top 12 Male Semi-Finalists


Picture Courtesy of AmericanIdol.Com

Tonight’s American Idol live show will highlight the vocal strengths and artistry of the Top 12 Male Semi-Finalists.

They are: Aaron Kelly,  Alex Lambert, Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Jermaine Sellers, Joe Muñoz, John Park, Lee Dewyze, Michael Lynche, Tim Urban, Todrick Hall, and Tyler Grady.

Now, given the fact that I have not been to follow many of the shows leading up to these first two live performances, I will not even venture a guess as to who will or will not emerge as early personal favorites.

However, at the close of tonight’s two-hour-telecast, I will select my Top 6 based on this first live male performance and will continue to do so each week until the Top 12 Finalists are announced. 

In the meantime, check out my female picks after last night’s show and let me know what you think!  Catch you later!

MCL UPDATE: The show has finished airing on the East Coast and my Top 6 Male Performers tonight were:

Aaron KellyAndrew Garcia, Casey James, Jermaine Sellers,   John Park and  Tyler Grady

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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

18 Responses to “American Idol Season 9 Vocal Masterclass Discussion Thread: Top 12 Male Semi-Finalists”

  1. Unknown's avatar

    Wow, MCL!! You seriously liked Jermaine?!! I honestly thought he was terrible and pitchy! Loved Aaron, Andrew, and Casey, though.

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  2. Unknown's avatar

    I agree about Aaron, Andrew, and Casey. And I also agree with MCL about John Park–very nice voice. I’m torn about the others. I really wanted to like Tyler Grady because he and Aaron are both from Pennsylvania where I live, but I wasn’t terribly impressed with him tonight. I hope he sticks around longer to show me that he can do better. And in spite of Jermaine’s over-the-top version of the song he sang, I think he’s capable of doing better. I also sort of liked Lee DeWyze and Joe Munoz.

    All in all, I guess I was a little disappointed in both nights primarily because of many of the song choices.

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  3. Unknown's avatar

    I am getting the ‘David Cassidy’ vibe from Tim, and I do find him adorable. I didn’t like Simon’s comments about him not belonging there. I hope he makes it through.

    The best singer of the night has to be Lee Dewyze; I do see him in the TOP 12. I wish John Park had done better, but his fans should get him through this. I liked Joe’s performance but he had virtually no screen time, and that may hurt him. Yes, I wanted to hug Alex Lambert.

    I laughed about the whole circumstances with Jermaine Sellers. I’d rather see him on the tour than Michael. You see, Blake Lewis spoiled me when he sang that song. There’s too much hype over him. Tyler Grady did a pretty good job. Am I the only one who thinks he needs to put on some weight?

    Yes, Casey James is mighty attractive, and he is getting the Ace Young/Michael Johns sexual appealing tratment. However, I wish they would back off on this thing with Kara. Also, I would prefer to see him clean shaven. He has a pretty good voice. Aaron is cute, isn’t he?

    Todrick can get off my tv permanently.

    I think I enjoyed the girls’ performances better, but then that was what TPTB wanted.

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  4. Unknown's avatar

    I thought it was a train wreck…I agree with kariann 1~~~I liked Lee Dewyze, he sounds like Bruce Springsteen! would have loved for him to sing a Springsteen song. Andrew Garcia, can sing anything!

    Certainly no Adam Lamberts this year!!!

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  5. Unknown's avatar

    Good morning everyone:

    Just so you fully understand, my Top 6 singers were based on my ” best of the worst pick”. So far, not a whole lot of artistry going on with the guys. TPTB want a female win and they probably will get it based on the male/female groupings.

    And is it just me or do I sense a tense atmosphere over at the judges’ table? It just looks and feels uncomfortable. The critiques are fine and all – it’s the chemistry between the judges that is lacking

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  6. Unknown's avatar

    Good morning!! I agree with vonnie! A train wreck. Can’t say I was impressed with one guy last night. Hopefully it was first night gitters and things will improve. When pitch is off – as it was at one point or another with EVERY guy last night – it just makes me cringe and as a listener I don’t want to feel this way. Some guys last night did have promise – Aaron, Andrew, Lee, and Casey (missed Michael L’s performance so can’t make a judgement about him). The girls were much better. Do you think they purposely chose this group of guys to guarantee a female winner? I just don’t get it. There’s usually at least 1 stand out vocalist. Who is the David Cook/Archie/Adam of this year? No one comes even close. (I miss those guys!!!! I miss that entertainment value! And these guys were good from day 1 – never mind first day gitters) Anyway, glad you are writing again MCL and I look forward to chatting with all of you this season. I thoroughly enjoy reading all of your comments.

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  7. Unknown's avatar

    Hey Cookie Monster:

    Nice to see you back here for another season. And, I must say you have one of the greatest screen names ever! 🙂

    I agree with everything you said – it is a dismal beginning to Season 9. I don’t think American Idol they will ever duplicate the combined charisma, artistry and talent that was Season 7!

    Season 9 may end up being a pretty good season, but, as of now, we have to see more maturity and confidence emerge form these singers.

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  8. Unknown's avatar

    TPTB want a female win and they probably will get it based on the male/female groupings.

    This is EXACTLY what I was coming here to say. I can only hope that some of these guys calm down, step back, and make some real music.

    (And I completely agree with you about Season 7! 😀 )

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  9. Unknown's avatar

    It was a ho-hum sort of evening. I’ll go with Casey, although is voice sounded very strained, which I am assuming was because of his ever-present smile. While he is going to be pushed as the “stud” of the group, at least he seems to have a better voice than his predecessors on the show. Michael Lynche just makes me happy when I watch him, and that counts for a lot. John Park is a technician and Simon is right, he is missing the boat as a performer. The camera loves Joe Munoz, and I don’t think he’s got a back voice, either. Andrew Garcia continues to intrigue me, and at this point I am enjoying Toddrick hall’s unpredictability, although I have to admit that Alex is the best teenage boy we’ve seen. And so there are my top 6. Nothing exciting, but that’s what I come up with.

    Tim Urban is bleh; Tyler Grady is a wannabe who isn’t sure who he is yet and who did some shouting in a song that I really would not have picked for him; I’ve always though Lee Dewyze was overrated, but perhaps I am being unfair; and I still don’t know how Alex Lambert made it through the group round. I kind of like Jermaine Sellers, and could see him cracking the top 6; there aren’t many who have a lock on it.

    I think I am picking names more on potential than I am on demonstrated skill. I am very curious to see how this plays out.

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  10. Unknown's avatar

    That was “bad” voice, not “back” voice, with regard to Joe Munoz. Sorry about that!

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  11. Unknown's avatar

    Now that I have watched the guys for the very first time, here are my initial impressions.

    Casey is this season’s sex symbol, no doubt about that. I would prefer him clean shaven and the nonsense with Kara was a little too much for me. He has a decent voice.

    Tyler singing American Woman? Really? The song choices were pretty bad overall, but this was one of the worst. I thought he was a complete and total wannabe, a poseur. Not impressed at all.

    Tim Urban singing Apologize? Yikes! As soon as I heard he was singing this, I knew it would be bad. But I didn’t know just how bad. Absolutely one of the worst performances of the night, I am sorry to say.

    Lee Dewyze has a great voice. I see real potential with this guy. I agree with Vonnie about the Bruce Springsteen vibe. I really like this guy.

    John Park has a nice voice, but no personality and charisma on stage. He needs to make a connection to the song when he’s singing. If he’s not feeling it, then the audience won’t either.

    Joe Munoz is the opposite of John Park. He has so much personality and presence on state. His voice is okay, nothing all that special.

    Andrew Garcia is the one guy who probably has the best pure voice. He chose the wrong song, of course, but the voice came through.

    Most of these guys were forgettable, but there are a few with some serious talent. Again, this is my first time hearing these guys, so I reserve the right to change my opinion as I see more of them.

    The advantage definitely goes to the women this year. Also, I agree that there is no Adam Lambert here, no David Archuleta.

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  12. Unknown's avatar

    Oh my goodness, a typo in my previous post. Joe Munoz has presence on STAGE!

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  13. Unknown's avatar

    Hi Mindy…Messa really likes Lee Dewyze, I’m thinking he should do Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” for a throwback song and to be current, he should definitly sing Kings of Leon”s “Somebody Like You”. I like Andrew Garcia too! I think he can sing just about anything and sound good!

    My girl pick is DiDi…I’m not sure why??? But she just has such a pure sounding voice to me…I don’t usually like that type of singer, go figure!!!

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  14. Unknown's avatar

    vonnie,

    Great to hear from you! You know we are musical soulmates! For some reason, Didi didn’t stand out to me, but remember that this was my first time hearing these kids.

    I am keeping an open mind at this early stage of the competition. I will definitely pay special attention to Didi next week. The talent is with the women this season, so there is a lot to check out.

    With the guys, I think it will be just a few who will go far in the competition. Or at least, a few who SHOULD go far. I forget that this is so much about popularity, looks, things that have nothing to do with a great voice.

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  15. Unknown's avatar

    I know TPTB planned it this way, but there are only a few guys I would pay to see on tour. I sincerely believe that Casey will get better and maybe be in the TOP 5.

    Yes, MCL I do sense a tense atmosphere over at the judges’ table. They haven’t quite jelled together. I actually prefer Kara sitting on the other side of Randy. Right now, I am not all that pleased with what Ellen has accomplished. I am sure it is just her nerves. There is repetition in many of her comments. I’ll just wait and see.

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  16. Unknown's avatar

    I agree with the idea that TPTB planned a girl year…Ben Honeycut along with some others that I heard through Hollywood week should have been top 24!

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  17. Unknown's avatar

    Mindy…definite music soulmates! I’m not really sure why DiDi stood out to me, just kinda liked her voice! That could all change next week,LOL. I like Lilly and Crystal too!

    I’m still waiting for that wow moment!

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  18. Unknown's avatar

    I will admit that American Idol is getting a little tiresome but I still like it because it is an “easy” watch for my family.

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