November 1, 2010

For Immediate Release

(Ottawa) – It was once one of Ottawa’s best-kept secrets, but no longer. This has been a “break-out” year for the Stairwell Carollers, a 25-voice gem of a choir that performs without instrumental accompaniment (“a cappella”) year-round.

As the choir prepares for a 34^th season of bringing Yuletide joy to music lovers in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, it is proud to announce two major achievements.

This past spring, the Stairwell Carollers received both provincial and national recognition for artistic excellence, placing first in the Ontario Music Festivals Association choral competition and second in the national finals.

The Carollers are also proud of their humanitarian and philanthropic mission. Since 1997, they have raised $41,350 for dozens of charities through ticket sales and profits from their six CDs.

At the season finale, on December 18, the choir will be making a donation to the Harvest House Ministries. The Carollers also sponsor an annual scholarship for students planning to pursue a music degree at a Canadian university.

The choir was founded and is directed by award-winning composer Pierre Massie, who is Head of Fine Arts at Glebe Collegiate High School. This season’s concerts feature three of Pierre’s original compositions and seven of his arrangements, including the beautiful “Iesous Ahatonnia” (the Huron Carol), which is the title of this year’s program.

2010 Christmas Concert Season

Fri, Dec 3: Zion-Memorial United Church, 37 Franklin St., Carleton Place

Sat, Dec 4: Woodroffe United Church, 207 Woodroffe Ave., Ottawa

Wed, Dec 8: St. Columba Anglican Church, 24 Sandridge Rd., Ottawa (Manor Park)

Fri, Dec 10: St. Paul’s Eastern United Church, 473 Cumberland St., Ottawa (Sandy Hill)

Sat, Dec 18: Eglise Marie-Médiatrice/Saint frère André, 344 Cyr Ave., Ottawa (Vanier)

All concerts begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the Dec. 18 season finale are available in advance from The Leading Note (370 Elgin St), as well as at the door, for $15 (admission is free for children 12 and under). A reception will follow.

For further information about the Stairwell Carollers, please visit www.stairwellcarollers.com.

David Rain, Tenor