One amazing fact you never knew about Ottawa's Peace Tower

Peace Tower Carillon

Did you know that there is a real, live person playing the music that you hear ringing from our Peace Tower on Parliament Hill?

Ottawa's Peace Tower stands out in view from Byward Market

Her name is Andrea McCrady ( actually Dr. McCrady, since she was a family doctor for many years) and she "dances" concert on the Carillon keys almost every day at noon.

Andrea McCrady, our Dominion Carillonneur welcomes guests

If you are very lucky, you may get a chance to sit and watch the music happen -- right there in the tiny keyboard room. But, be warned, the Carillon itself makes it's own rhythmic melody of mechanical clinks and clunks, belying it's gorgeous ringing tones to all outside the Tower.

View of the Peace tower clock face from the observation deck

So, if you are downtown at lunchtime, make sure to notice the music of the 53 Peace tower bells, and think of the diminutive artiste that is playing the most challenging instrument, the Peace Tower Carillon -- our "Voice of Canada", our Dominion Carillonneur and "National Treasure", Dr. Andrea McCrady.

You may also hear a song or two composed and arranged by our director, Pierre! Here is his interview about his music being chosen for the Carillon on Regional contact.

Rick Mercer recently did a feature on our Dominion Carillonneur -- check it out!

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Our Brand New Christmas Carol CD, “O magnum mysterium” is now available online, at our concerts, and from individual members of the choir, CD format only.

All our other CDs are available on our website in both CD form and as MP3 downloads.

The Stairwell Carollers are an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie. Ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competition, we are a non-profit organization, that raises funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Buy our CDs and help Ottawa/Gatineau charities reach their goals!

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

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