O Tannenbaum, a traditional German Carol for Christmas

Xmas tree at Knox Presbyterian, Ottawa

Ottawa chamber choir, The Stairwell Carollers perform O Tannenbaum, a traditional German Christmas carol about the tradition of the Christmas Tree. 

O Tannenbaum, a traditional German Carol for Christmas http://t.co/hQrYN6MtCz on @bloglovin
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) November 16, 2014

The carollers, an a cappella choral group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, has earned the distinction of being ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competition. They are a non-profit organization, who raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

O Tannenbaum is available on the carollers first CD, Qui Creavit Celum

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

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 14th, 2013.

Videographers: Sébastien Lemay, Kevin Millington
Editing: Pierre Massie

Renaissance Fare -- Madrigals and Sacred songs of God and Earthly Love

Gorgeous Fall Apples

Here, for your Renaissance enjoyment, is a new playlist from the Stairwell Carollers, perveyor of acappella song of the highest order.

24 uplifting songs recorded at the St. Barnabas Spring concert, June 1st, 2013, James Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Editing: Pierre Massie

Renaissance Fare -- Madrigals and Sacred songs of God and Earthly Love http://t.co/hlgiLMLZkY on @bloglovin
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) October 6, 2014

La, la, la je ne l’ose dire, a Madrigal of love and revenge, sung by the Stairwell Carollers

A flicker admires herself photo, Holly Massie, all rights reserved

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "La, la, la je ne l’ose dire" by Pierre Certon (ca. 1520 – 1572) , a French composer of the Renaissance.
Performed and recorded in concert June 1st 2013, St. Barnabas church, Ottawa, Canada
Buy our CDs ! All proceeds benefit local charities. This version of "La, la, la je ne l’ose dire" is available on our madrigals from the Renaissance CD, "Audite nova”, released October 2006.
Visit our blog or our website for updates.
Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Editing: Pierre Massie

Pucelete/Je languis/Domino – Anonymous - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

At the Manotick Farmers Market

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Pucelete/Je languis/Domino”, a motet by Anonymous (c1250), the most famous composer of the middle ages.
Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Editing: Pierre Massie

Tourdion (quand je bois) a boisterous drinking song from the Renaissance

Spring flowers

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Tourdion" by Claude Gervaise (c. 1525 – 1583), a French composer, editor and arranger of the Renaissance.
Buy our CDs This version of "Tourdion" is available on our madrigals from the Renaissance CD, "Audite nova", released October 2006.
Visit our blog or our website for updates.
Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington
Editing: Pierre Massie

So Trinken Wir -- a German drinking song from the Renaissance -- The Stairwell Carollers YouTube channel

Carollers relax at end of season party at a local pub

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "So Trinken Wir" by Arnold von Bruck (c. 1500 – February 6, 1554), a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance, active in several Habsburg courts.

He was one of the most famous and influential composers in German-speaking areas during the first half of the 16th century.

Buy our CDs and help local charities :) This version of "So Trinken Wir" is available on our Madrigals from the Renaissance CD, "Audite nova”, released  October 2006.

Visit our blog  or our website  for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

La tricotea - A Renaissance Madrigal -- The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

Audience waits for the concert to begin

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "La tricotea" by Renaissance composer Franco Alonso. Performed and recorded in concert June 1st 2013, St. Barnabas church, Ottawa, Canada

 This version of "La tricotea" is available on our madrigals from the Renaissance CD, "Audite nova”, released October 2006. All our CD sales help local charities in the Ottawa/Hull region.

Visit our blog http://www.stairwellcarollers.blogspot.com/ or our website http://www.stairwellcarollers.com/ for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Ottawa choir performs "Ay linda amiga" a Spanish Madrigal from the Renaissance

       Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Ay linda amiga" by the famous composer, Anonymous.

Buy our CDs and Mp3s for enjoyment anytime -- all proceeds benefit charity.

This version of "Ay linda amiga" is available on our Madrigal CD, Audite Nova.

Visit our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Editing: Pierre Massie

The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Hoy comamos y bebamos" live in concert in Ottawa

                Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Hoy comamos y bebamos" by Juan del Encina (1468 -- 1529), a composer, poet and playwright of the Renaissance.

Visit our website  for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.

Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.

Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Lirum bililirum -- Rossino Mantovano - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa.

Ontario apples :)

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Lirum bililirum" by Rossino Mantovano (Rossino of Mantua) (fl. 1505-1511) an Italian composer of madrigals.
  Enjoy!!
Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.

Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.

Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Lirum bililirum -- Rossino Mantovano - The Stairwell Carollers, #Ottawa. http://t.co/oiuOlApGWm #choral #choir #classicalmusic #RT
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) October 16, 2013

So ben mi ch'ha bon tempo -- Orazio Vecchi - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

Pierre calls out the door prize winner after the concert

One of my absolute favourite madrigals (I seem to have a lot of those) is "So ben mi ch'ha bon tempo" by Orazio Vecchi (1550 --  1605), an Italian composer of the late Renaissance. 

I guess it's because it's so much FUN to sing... and then a joy to listen to later.

Here is the video of our performance at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013. Audio by one of Ottawa's top live recording engineers, Tom Barnes.

Visit our official website for updates.
 
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Exultate Justi in Domino - Lodovico da Viadana, The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

Our new Sacred CD, Cantate Domino

New on YouTube -- our most recent live performance of Exultate Justi in Domino. 

This is one of our favourite Sacred pieces that we recorded this past spring for our first Sacred CD, Cantate Domino.

"Exultate Justi in Domino"is a popular Renaissance choral piece by  Lodovico Grossi da Viadana (1560 -- 1627), an Italian composer, teacher, and Franciscan friar of the Order of Friars Minor Observants.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at our Spring concert at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.

Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Editing: Pierre Massie

Ave Maria, The Stairwell Carollers, traditional a cappella

Detail of painting at St. Barnabas., Ottawa

                       From Canada's capitol of Ottawa comes The Stairwell Carollers, performing "Ave Maria" by the famous Renaissance composer Anonymous. :)

Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013 by Tom Barnes. Thanks Tom! A job well done, as always!

Buy our CDs in support of local charities! This version of "Ave Maria" is available on our "Cantate Domino" CD.

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.

Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Enjoy!!

Ave Maria, The Stairwell Carollers, traditional #acappella http://t.co/Qog2fhhJEX #Ottawa #Sacred #choral #choir pls #RT
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) October 16, 2013

Margot labourez les vignes, a Renaissance madrigal by Jacob Arcadelt. The Stairwell Carollers on YouTube

Our Grapes -- photo Holly Massie, all rights reserved

              Margot labourez les vignes by Jacob Arcadelt (also Jacques Arcadelt; c. 1507 -- 1568), a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance, active in both Italy and France. Sung a cappella style, as always, by my choir, The Stairwell Carollers.

Recorded at our spring concert at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013. 

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.

Video Editing: Pierre Massie 

Music BLOGGERS! 

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O Jesu Christe -- Jacquet de Berchem - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

                    Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "O Jesu Christe" by Jacquet de Berchem (also known as Giachet(to) Berchem or Jakob van Berchem; (c. 1505 -- 1567), a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance.

Buy our CDs and support Ottawa/Hull charities!

 This version of "O Jesu Christe" is on our "Cantate Domino" CD, available on CD or Mp3 through our website

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers:Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Editing: Pierre Massie

Music BLOGGERS! 

Link your blog post  at our Monthly Linkup Party!! Music Bloggers Unite!

April is in My Mistress' Face -- Thomas Morley - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

Lonesome Gull

April is in My Mistress' Face, a #Renaissance #Madrigal by Thomas Morley #Ottawa http://t.co/OvyI78IZix #choral
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) August 13, 2013

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "April is in my Mistress' Face" by Thomas Morley (1557 -- 1602), an English composer, theorist, editor and organist of the Renaissance.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013. 

Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.

Editing: Pierre Massie

Come Again -- A Renaissance Madrigal by John Dowland - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

Painted Lady Butterfly on Rugosa Rose

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Come Again" by John Dowland (1563 -- 1626), an English Renaissance composer, singer, and lutenist.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
 
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
 
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Ah Robin, Gentle Robin -- A Renaissance Madrigal sung by Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers

Robin making a nest

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Ah Robin, Gentle Robin" by William Cornysh (1465 -- 1523), an Renaissance English composer, dramatist, actor, and poet.
Buy our CDs and Mp3s and help support local charities! 

This version of "Ah Robin, Gentle Robin" is available on our "Audite Nova" CD.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Kevin Millington.
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Jubilate Deo -- Orlande de Lassus - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Jubilate Deo" by Orlande de Lassus  (Orlandus Lassus, Orlando di Lasso, Roland de Lassus, or Roland de Lattre) (1532 - 1594), a Franco-Flemish composer of the late Renaissance.

Buy our CDs and help local charities! 

This version of "Jubilate Deo" is available on our Cantate Domino CD.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013. 

Videographers: Kevin Millington.

Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints by John Dowland

                 Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform madrigal "Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints" by Thomas Weelkes (1576 -- 1623) was an English Renaissance composer and organist.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Video Editing: Pierre Massie