MasterClass 9/11 Monday: An Inspiring Performance of Somewhere By Barbra Streisand


On this the day, the 16th Anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States, I found a song that truly speaks to where we are as a global entity and what we are striving to achieve in the years ahead.

Let’s cut to the chase here – we want peace. Plain and simple. The chaos that has existed since those fatal terrorist attacks in 2001 has only intensified. We seem to learn in the moment, react in the moment and, when the moment has passed, we forget and the noise and negativity permeates our lives.

And the chaos begins again.

And again.

Will we ever learn from our past events and, in particular, what transpired on that fateful September day in 2001 when 3000 lives were lost on American soil?

Barbra Streisand’s gorgeous performance of Somewhere from West Side Story serves as a reminder and speaks to the longing and angst that we all feel in our effort to attain a collective sense of peace and acceptance in today’s world.

Her voice is resplendent with nuance and her face is charismatically expressive. The beauty and warmth of her voice just covers you like a blanket, so warm and comforting. So real.

No one can tell a story quite like Barbra Streisand – and in such a meaningful way. To reinforce this fact, I have added a few screenshots of her performance.

Isn’t she beautiful? Truly? And, technically, her mouth is circular throughout this song, her jaw relaxed, which adds to the purity of her voice and her seamless and extremely musical phrasing.

Somewhere” is included on her album, The Essential Barbra Streisand, which you can stream on Apple Music or purchase on iTunes.

The video performance, below, is wonderfully edited so that the inherent message expressed in the song is translated to the viewer. Do yourself a favour on this contemplative Monday morning and watch this performance.

In closing, my heart and prayers go out to all who have been adversely affected by the hurricanes in Florida and Texas. May you garner the strength to rebuild your lives and move forward with a sense of peace and acceptance. God Bless each and every one of you.

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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