I guess I must be the only person in America who didn’t like it. I though Carrie Underwood’s singing style was too country and western and her acting dull and wooden.
You’re right. Underwood does not have the sweet voice required for Maria and similar roles. Underwood’s voice leans more to the brassy side — which would indicate other roles.
Also, in the clips I’ve seen, it sounds like she is singing in a slightly different key than the kids — almost like a guitar tuned to drop d.
Not hugely off, but just enough to be noticeable. I suspect that she (and many C&W aficionados) think it sounded oaky.