Vocal Masterclass Discussion For American Idol Season XIV Top 2 Results Show: The Grand Finale 

May 13, 2015 by Masterclass Lady 19 Comments


  

Picture Credit: American Idol

Before I begin, let me just say how upset I am at the multitude of people cheering the demise of American Idol. Really? REALLY? 

This show was and continues to be (for one more year) a ground – breaking show, discovering and nurturing talent better than anything currently happening on the music scene.  The singers, especially those who were fortunate enough to make it to the Top 10,  are floating around on everyone’s radar.  Yes, some stronger than others, but still out there and enjoying phenomenal careers because of this show. 

Let’s run through some names, shall we?  – Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, David Cook, Phillip Phiilps, Katharine McPhee, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, David Archuleta, Kelly Pickler, Taylor Hicks, Constantine, Jordin Sparks, Melinda Doolittle, Scotty McCreery, 

Should I go on?  Did I make my point?

This show has produced a legacy of stars that must be and should be the envy of competing record labels. 

Everyone went on the show knowing full well that there was no guarantee of a win – after all, only one person could achieve this. 

However, all the singers – well the smart ones – knew that this show was a conduit for future success, a strong platform to elevate their career to the next level. And, for this reason,  managers come a-knocking in droves. 

So, go ahead. Kick this show when it’s down. What do they care?  Look at their track record?  Can any other show claim bragging rights at this level? 

So, tonight, I am going to sit back and cheer our second last Top 2 singers – Clark Beckham and Nick Fradiani. And, I will embrace the charisma and excitement of this great North American tradition.  I will cheer when the confetti falls on the winner and, as the winner sings his Coronation Song, I will contemplate the numerous American Idol parties I enjoyed in the company of family and friends. 

Because, in the end, with this show, it always was about the journey. And what a great journey it has been!  It’s been a blast. One can only anticipate what is in store for the viewers next year. I  have visions of Idols dancing in my head. Ha!

Best of luck to two extremely talented singers – Clark and Nick. I love both of you so for me it is a win/win. However,  I have no doubt that both of you are on the cusp of exciting carriers.  

The Finale Results show airs on Wednesday, May 13th at 8:00 PM on Fox. 

American Idol, American Idol Season 14, Singing, Television, TV Series
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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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19 Responses to “Vocal Masterclass Discussion For American Idol Season XIV Top 2 Results Show: The Grand Finale ”

  1. Idol Girl May 13, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    When Simon left is when I lost interest and started watching the show less frequently.

    Like

  2. Rocker Chick May 13, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    Someone has to write a book about the downfall of Idol. I don’t buy the argument that it is an old show and its collapse inevitable. Survivor continues with decent ratings. So does DWTS. Even AGT, which is heading into its 10th Season. None were ever as big as Idol. None had Ryan Seacrest. What happened? Where did Idol go wrong? Answer that question honestly and candidly and you have a bestseller.

    Like

  3. Cookie78 May 13, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    Nick is in the lead on iTunes. http://www.ydtalk.com/idolchatteryd/nick-fradiani-winning-american-idol-on-the-itunes-charts/

    Like

  4. hunter May 13, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    i guess i haven’t been reading or listening where you have. i am very very sad idol is leaving and i’ve heard others say the same thing.

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  5. rereader May 13, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    I think there are many things that AI could have done better over the years–but ultimately, I think it would be ending even if it did all those things right. I think the real reason AI has run down is that digital music and online/streaming music have entirely, fundamentally changed the music industry and the music scene, so that they show is speaking to a music world that no longer exist.

    But that’s just me. 🙂

    Like

  6. James May 13, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    If I were ‘super loaded’, I would essentially ‘buy’ the AI franchise, retain and expand the judging panel and return the show to is roots. Plus I would ‘rejuvenate’ the songwriter part.

    IMO, the ‘game playing’ is the reason for the cancellation. But, who knows? If the ratings are high enough, will there be a ‘reprieve’?

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  7. Cookie78 May 13, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    I’m curious about which blogs are cheering the demise of Idol?

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  8. Louise May 13, 2015 at 8:26 pm

    I can think of at least two reasons for Idol’s demise. 1) the first season discovered Kelly Clarkson who became a star, and after that there was also Carrie Underwood, but then many others who we have rarely heard from since they won. So, in effect, the show became a joke. And 2) competition from The Voice. Many people don’t have enough time to watch both shows.

    But I think my first reason is the primary cause of this show’s demise. If they had consistently produced real stars, there would have been a real reason to watch.

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  9. Masterclass Lady May 13, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    Hey everyone. Thank you for your comments. I just got in the door. Was on the road today no thought I would be home sooner first time ever missing the entire Finale.

    What a great show tonight so far. I just saw Clark and Nick perform – both amazing. And a bit of Steven Tyler and Jax. Very good but kind of a scream-a-thon.

    I think that, after Season 7, the show started to plummet. New judges, different format during the semi final stage, fiddling with the selection process for AI’s personal agenda and more contributed to the disenchantment with the show.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Gene W May 13, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    Congratulations to Nick! I hope the others continue to hone their craft and benefit from the exposure they have had on Idol.

    There have been many institutions that have risen after their demise. The 12 Hours of Sebring race ran it’s last ever event about 35 years ago; and again the next year; and again the next and so on for several years. It remains an annual event to this day!

    I think that American Idol will die because the concept is owned by Simon Fuller. My guess is that restrictions imposed by the original agreement have limited the choices that the show could make over the years to remain competitive plus the valid points that have already been made. The massive salaries of the principal stars combined with declining ad revenues due to lower ratings have made it unsustainable under the current model but I think a show can be successful for many years to come if it is rebuilt on a different model. DWTS has is drawing to the close of it” 15th season, perhaps the best season ever after much talk for many seasons that they were done. I don’t think they ever announced that the end was near officially but they went to work on the show and found ways to keep it interesting and new without loosing it’s core. They are right across the hall from Idol. Maybe they should have taken notice of what was being done.

    I wonder if the international versions of Idol are coming to an end as well?

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Masterclass Lady May 13, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    Gene. -I was wondering the same as well. Are there other versions out there doing well? If so, I never hear of them.

    I personally feel that the judges make too much money. It’s madness. All that money could be invested Ina better format for the show, especially copyrights for song material.

    Additionally, the performance songs should run the full length – not some condensed 90 minute macaroni and cheese mess we now hear. One can only do so much with an arrangement over a 90 minute time frame.

    Like

  12. Idol Girl May 14, 2015 at 8:45 am

    I agree with Louise. Other than Kelly and Carrie, many of the winners have gone back to the indie careers.

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  13. Cookie78 May 14, 2015 at 8:46 am

    I see that Nick, who had been considered an underdog on various blogs, won the show.

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  14. rereader May 14, 2015 at 11:45 am

    Just as well for both Nick and Clark, because I don’t see Clark and Borchetta working well together. This way Clark’s got his exposure and can find someone he can work with–and Nick is better suited to rushing out an album since he already knows just who he is, musically, and it’s an easily identifiable genre.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Rocker Chick May 14, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    This year’s finale wound up being the lowest rated ever. http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-lowest-rated-finale-ever.htm

    Like

  16. Gene W May 15, 2015 at 6:18 pm

    “The Thrill is Gone”
    BB King, the ‘Blues Boy’, ‘The King of the Blues” died yesterday at the age of 89 after a 70 year career in music. Even in his last years he was doing around 200 shows per year. I was lucky enough to have seen him twice in the last few years. Loved his distinct voice and his Instantly recognizable, signature blues guitar licks on his beloved “Lucille.”

    Another of the greats, the real deal, is gone. I will miss him. RIP BB

    Like

  17. Louise May 15, 2015 at 10:36 pm

    I was lucky to have seen BB King perform in my town about 20 years ago. It was a wonderful show. He will most definitely be missed.

    Like

  18. DonB May 19, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    I saw BB King and The Gypsy Kings share a show. What an evening.

    Re: AI, as with BB King, all good things must come to an end.

    Like

  19. Gene W May 19, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    I saw him with Tedeschi Trucks Band and then in a solo billing in a smaller venue. Both were great shows and sold out early.

    Seated near me at the first show was a grandfather who brought his grandson who may have been seven or eight. They only stayed for BB and both of them loved the music. It really made an impression on me.

    At the second show there was an old blues man in his nineties who is a local legend known as Mr Jip. He runs a genuine old school juke joint from his home for over fifty years. He wasn’t too old to visit with maybe 20 different young women who came by to sit on his knee and speak to him. It was really cool seeing one old blues man coming to tip his hat to and learn from the King.

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