MasterClass Monday: A Gorgeous Neil Diamond Performance Of September Morn


Happy Labour Day one and all.

I hope your first Monday in September is going well. And, if not, this beautiful live performance by Neil Diamond is sure to captivate you and bring a nostalgic smile to your face.

i have always loved the Fall Season as it brings so many opportunities for gatherings with family and friends, particularly during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. This time of year evokes so many wonderful memories for me amd gives rise to the creation of new ones.

September Morn, in particular, is one of my favorite songs and the vocal messenger is absolutely perfect. No one sounds quite like Neil Diamond, do they? His narrative singing style is iconic; he has perferly mastered the art of “speak -sing” (as I like to call it).

And yet, you can hear the rich timbre of his singing voice, feel the passion of his singing style and see the warmth and authenticity in his face and demeanour. It really is something special.

I am not sure if Neil Diamond has had any vocal training but he sure sounds as if he has had some level of technique. He loves sustaining on those pure vowels and his “l“s are very British when articulated.

I also suspect that he has perfect pitch. His rustic voice is always so precise and pure, which tells me that his ear is very refined. His voice gravitates toward the centre of every note in the melody. Just beautiful.

I saw Neil Diamond many years ago in Toronto Ontario Canada. It was an incredible show. Mesmerizing. He puts his heart and soul into these concerts and you come away with the feeling that he staged the show just for you. Even in a huge arena filled with thousands of fans, he manages to create an intimacy that is so special.

And, he is celebrating his 50 year career with a worldwide tour and a special 3-disc 50th Anniversary CD. You can stream the CD on Apple Music or purchase it on iTunes.

I could listen to September Morn over and over again and never tire of it – which is why I play it while I am out for my daily walk. And, if you are an Apple Music subscriber, you can stream it here or download it on iTunes.

Enjoy this Monday morning gem and let the spirit and beauty of the Fall season inhabit your heart and soul.

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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