Vocal Masterclass Discussion Thread For American Idol Season 11: The Pittsburgh Auditions

January 19, 2012 by Masterclass Lady 9 Comments


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What a fantastic showing in Savannah, Georgia last evening! The new season of American Idol moved smoothly and efficiently, thanks to Ryan Seacrest’s flawless narration and the renewed energy of the judges, Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

And the singers! Let’s talk about the singers! The first thing that comes to mind is fluid. Their voices were clear and effortless. Their vocal sound just oozed from their bodies, pitch perfect and transparent.

Now, I cannot for the life of me remember all the names because that’s the way my mind works. I’m a numbers gal.

But suffice it to say that the vast majority of the singers brought a huge smile to my face with their creative, nuanced approach to their music.

And, although Philip Phillips ended the two-hour showcase with stellar vocals reminiscent of a younger and, perhaps hipper, version Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks, a great deal of talent still needs to surface over the next three weeks before we declare him the one to beat this season.

But he is one to watch closely, very closely!

So, we are off Pittsburgh tonight and I am very excited. Are you? Who are your favorites so far? Please share in the comments section.

Enjoy the show!

American Idol, American Idol Season 11, Music, Singing, Television, Vocal Masteclass Discussion American Idol Season 11, Vocal Masterclass Discussion
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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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9 Responses to “Vocal Masterclass Discussion Thread For American Idol Season 11: The Pittsburgh Auditions”

  1. Darlene January 20, 2012 at 1:52 am

    Hello. I haven’t been watching the auditions but just listened to 3 of the Savannah people. I think Phillip Phillips is very talented but I could have done with a little less mugging during the audition. I really like Shannon Magrane. She has a beautiful, bluesy voice & some real soul for someone so young. And the young lady living in the tent was good too (her name is escaping me). I do need to tune in for the upcoming auditions if I can. Thanks, Rosanne!!

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  2. Louise January 20, 2012 at 11:03 am

    I’m not good with names either, but I was thoroughly entertained with the Pittsburgh auditions last night. So entertained that I think I will watch it again this weekend.

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  3. Vonnie January 21, 2012 at 9:54 am

    I have decided this year to not watch until there is a top 12…so I will catch up with you guys then!!!

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  4. Peggy from Porcupine January 21, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    I’m not up on the names (maybe I should re-watch and copy down the names of my favourites – I did one season for awhile) but what an variety of talent! Many, I thought, showed great prospects. Should be a very interesting season at this rate.

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  5. Gene W January 22, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    I hope everyone had a good, albeit brief off season from reality singing competition shows.

    They are off to a pretty good start this season. I saw a video promo on my local news just prior to the Savannah show airing that said that they were looking for character, calm and confidence, or put another way, “paging Scotty McCreary.” The coal miner kid seemed to be cut from the right cloth but his audition wasn’t as good as his mine singing. Maybe they will send Ryan to his home to invite home to join the show later on.

    Several girls have caught my eye but none has blown me away. I like the tent girl, the Joy dance girl, the two tall girls and the blond country girl was ok.

    There are many returning contestants this year. I noticed a few who were unmentioned. I saw a boy in the promo video at the end of the Pittsburg show who was cut in the top 24 last year. It appears that he will audition again tonight. I think his name was DeAnder (SP) or something like that. I thought he should have made at least the top 10 last year so he may be the class of the field tonight.

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  6. Masterclass Lady January 22, 2012 at 5:55 pm

    Gene – I don’t remember the last guy you mentioned. Me and names!! His face may trigger my memory. Nice to see you back and I guess Vonnie is a no show until the Top 12. (frown). Lol

    Welcome Peggy. This is a very friendly round table community and I hope to see you come back in lively discussion once the show heats up.

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  7. Gene W January 22, 2012 at 6:20 pm

    Thank you for the welcome MCL. It’s good to hear from you as well. It’s pretty unusual for me to remember a name so don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. Vonnie won’t be able to stay away. 🙂

    The boy I mentioned was young, maybe 15 last year. He had blond wavy hair and sort of a surfer dude or island boy sort of look. He was a blue eyed soul singer and was the standout in his Hollywood group. If I recall correctly, everyone in his Hollywood group were young singers and were well recieved by the judges.

    After he received the news that he wasn’t going through at the aircraft hanger, the judges gave him very sincere encouragement, not only for his career in general, but also to try out for Idol again in future seasons.

    Ring a bell?

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  8. Masterclass Lady January 22, 2012 at 6:36 pm

    Thank you so much Gene. But I still can’t picture him. Weird. I hope he is on tonight. He sounds terrific. Nice to see familiar names here back on board. 🙂

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