Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, we are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs.
Stairwell Caroller Choir Auditions continue until August 2022 or until tenor and bass positions are filled. Must live in the Ottawa region - in-person rehearsals have resumed. Proof of vaccination necessary.
About The Stairwell Carollers: Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, we are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs. A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert tickets, CD and cookbook sales. Since 1997 we have donated over $143,800 to local charities and scholarships.
Christmas 2020 is the first in our 43-year history where we haven’t been able to stage live concerts, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still sing. So, after planning, rehearsing and recording, we are proud to present this mini Virtual Christmas Concert of 6 carols. We hope you will enjoy our renditions of old favourites, some in new settings by our director, along with a few lesser known pieces from our carol archives.
I cannot be more proud of my musical colleagues for forging through the complex logistics of putting these videos together. I thank them for their loyalty to our fans and their fellow choir members, and for their diligence in preparing individual performances to such a demanding degree of musicianship.
I can only conclude that we all share an understanding of how important it is to share the joy of song with the world.
I am joined by my wife Holly and all the members of the Stairwell Carollers in wishing you peace and joy over this most unusual Christmas season. We are confident that we will perform live for you once again soon.
Pierre Massie - director
Enjoy! The Stairwell Carollers present A virtual Xmas concert
Noël 2020 : En 43 ans d’histoire, c’est la première fois où nous ne pouvons pas faire de concerts devant public. Cependant, nous chantons! Rien ne pourrait nous en empêcher.
Nous sommes heureux de vous présenter ce mini concert virtuel de 6 chants de Noël. Planifier, répéter et enregistrer fut un travail d’amour pour nous toutes et tous. Appréciez nos interprétations de vieux classiques que vous connaissez bien. Découvrez les nouveaux arrangements créés par notre directeur. Savourez les chants de Noël moins connus tirés de nos archives.
Je suis très fier de mes collègues de la chorale. Ils et elles ont fait face à une logistique complexe pour la réalisation de ces vidéos. Je les remercie, personnellement et en votre nom, de leur fidélité envers vous, nos fans. Leur esprit d’équipe et leur diligence ont permis de livrer des prestations individuelles d'un niveau musical aussi exigeant. L’impératif de partager la joie du chant avec le Monde nous unit tous et toutes.
Au nom de mon épouse Holly et de tous les membres des Chanteurs Stairwell, j’aimerais vous souhaiter Paix et Joie en cette saison de Noël des plus inhabituelles. Donnons-nous déjà rendez-vous dès la première occasion de nous retrouver tous ensemble. Rien ne remplace l’expérience de vibrer ensemble, baignée dans la sonorité et la résonance des voix humaines.
Au plaisir de vous retrouver tout ouïe, dans un avenir rapproché.
Pierre Massie, Directeur
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Programme
O Little Town of Bethlehem - arr: Traditional, melody by Lewis Redner
Un flambeau Jeanette, Isabelle - arr: Pierre Massie
All and Some - Anon. c. 1450
What Child is This - arr: Pierre Massie (choral premiere)
Ô nuit - Jean-Philippe Rameau
Wassail Song - arr: Pierre Massie
The choir
Sopranos
Annika Ericsson-Kidd
Erin MacAfee
Denyse Mageau
Maggie Park
Andrea Walton
Altos
Christine Jenkins
Helen Lucker
Katherine Marek
Holly Massie
Susan Pullan
Tina Reilly
Elizabeth Turner
Tenors
Alex Deveau
Darren Elford
Sylvain Giguère
Richard Hardy
Pierre Massie
David Rain
Basses
David Ayer
Terry Brynaert
Christoph Hoeller
Andrew Mason
Bruce Pettipas
René Voyer
About The Stairwell Carollers: Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, we are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs. A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert tickets, CD and cookbook sales. Since 1997 we have donated over $143,800 to local charities and scholarships.
About The Stairwell Carollers: Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, we are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs. A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert tickets, CD and cookbook sales. Since 1997 we have donated over $143,800 to local charities and scholarships.
Some lovely praise from Mark Holzman - "Pierre - What a wonderful concert on Saturday night. Thank you for your community support over these many years and for choosing to donate to Cornerstone this year. The hard work and dedication shown by all the Stairwell Carollers is evident in the lovely music you all have composed, arranged, practiced and performed so beautifully. And how magical to see the transformation back to winter when we left the church! Attached are several photos of the presentation. Happy holidays to all. - Mark"
The concert was packed to the rafters with a wonderful audience! Even the choir loft was full! Thanks so much for a great night!
Reviews from The concert coming in - "On Sunday I bumped into a
couple of people who had attended the Dec 14th concert, and
told me "how marvelous" it was.
Among many highly
appreciative remarks were: How particularly they had enjoyed
the piece "with all those various carols and yule songs in
with the chant" (i.e., they meant "Christmas is...") and
that they do hope that "Song of The Crib" will go onto the
Carollers' next CD- "it was so beautiful".
Keith, Bass"
Cornerstone has shared with us the impact that donations like ours will have:
“Almost 1,000 women become homeless in Ottawa every year. “Thanks to the support of our partners, donors, and friends, Cornerstone Housing for Women helps two hundred women every day, and nearly five hundred women each year transform their lives from crisis to hope, housing, and healing. “We are the only Ottawa shelter and housing charity uniquely tailored to women that have experienced homelessness. “We offer emergency shelter and supportive housing at five locations, and an outreach program. We give professional and spiritual care to a diversity of women. With support, women can transform their lives and have a fresh start.”
By purchasing your ticket, you provide us with the funds to work towards our 2020 donation to another local charity. Thank you!
This brings our total giving to local charities plus music scholarships to students to just under $145,000. This is the second time the choir has donated to Cornerstone – the first was in 2001 – and we are proud to be able to continue to support their important work. David Rain About The Stairwell Carollers:
Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, we are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs. A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales. Since 1997 we have donated over $144,000 to local charities and scholarships.
Cornerstone has shared with us the impact that donations like ours will have:
“Almost 1,000 women become homeless in Ottawa every year. “Thanks to the support of our partners, donors, and friends, Cornerstone Housing for Women helps two hundred women every day, and nearly five hundred women each year transform their lives from crisis to hope, housing, and healing. “We are the only Ottawa shelter and housing charity uniquely tailored to women that have experienced homelessness. “We offer emergency shelter and supportive housing at five locations, and an outreach program. We give professional and spiritual care to a diversity of women. With support, women can transform their lives and have a fresh start.”
By purchasing your ticket, you provide us with the funds to work towards our 2020 donation to another local charity. Thank you!
This brings our total giving to local charities plus music scholarships to students to just under $145,000. This is the second time the choir has donated to Cornerstone – the first was in 2001 – and we are proud to be able to continue to support their important work. David Rain About The Stairwell Carollers:
Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, we are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs. A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales. Since 1997 we have donated over $144,000 to local charities and scholarships.
Sopranos Zaena and Suzannah relax before dress rehearsal
Can't express how thrilled I am to post this rendition of Pete's original, award-winning composition Eya, eya, gaudeamus! Gabe was such a gracious choral teacher - generous with his knowledge and expertise and then blending in with the choir as if he had always been just another member of the group.
I couldn't resist including this lovely portrait of two of our sopranos, Zaena and Suzannah.
Eya, eya, gaudeamus - sung by The Stairwell Carollers and guest, Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor.
The Stairwell Carollers 40th anniversary concert, May 5, 2018. (Date is wrong on video)
This concert was the grand finale of a weekend workshop event with Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor ( Chanticleer alumnus and professional singer and choral conductor). Three choirs from Glebe Collegiate and Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor joined The Stairwell Carollers in workshops at the Galilee Centre and in concert.
Audio: Wayne Hawthorne. Recorded at St. Chrysostom Church, Arnprior, Ontario, Canada, May 5th, 2018. (Date is wrong on video). Videographer: Matthieu Brennan Video Editing: Pierre Massie
Workshop hosted by The Stairwell Carollers chamber choir - furthering choral excellence and development in Ottawa's choral community now for over 41 years.
About The Stairwell Carollers:
Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. We are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs, winning both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions.
A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.
Stairwell Alto, Katherine, multitasks during a dress rehearsal break.
The Stairwell Carollers perform with guest, Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor, singing the lively renaissance madrigal, My Bonny Lass (Thomas Morley.) Our 40th anniversary concert was the grand finale of a weekend workshop event with Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor - professional singer and choral conductor (formerly of Chanticleer). Three choirs from Glebe Collegiate and Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor joined The Stairwell Carollers in workshops at the Galilee Centre and in concert. Our thanks to Rachel Handley, Glebe choir director and music teacher. Audio: Wayne Hawthorne. Recorded at St. Chrysostom Church, Arnprior, Ontario, Canada, May 5th, 2018. (Date is wrong on video). Videographer: Matthieu Brennan Video Editing: Pierre Massie
Ottawa MASTERCLASS with Gabriel Lewis O’Connor
Only 46 spots left!
(formerly of Chanticleer)
Gabriel Lewis-O'connor lunches with Director, Pete
Workshop hosted by The Stairwell Carollers chamber choir - furthering choral excellence and development in Ottawa's choral community now for over 41 years.
About The Stairwell Carollers:
Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. We are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs, winning both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions.
A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.
As it says on the Governor General's website, "Since founding the Stairwell Carollers in 1977, Pierre Massie has been an ambassador for choral music and instrumental in spreading the joy and beauty of a cappella music both locally and around the world. Proceeds from the group’s concerts go to many local charities and scholarship programs."
Pete was surprised and thrilled to hear of his nomination and subsequent award earlier in the year, but was hesitant to brag about it. Now the cat is out of the bag!
From the Governor General's website"The Medal for Volunteers consists of a silver circular medal that is 36 mm in diameter with a suspension ring. The obverse depicts a contemporary effigy of the Sovereign, circumscribed with the inscription in capital letters of the Canadian Royal Title and the word “CANADA”, separated by two maple leaves.
The reverse indicates the ideas of caring and generosity, represented by two interlaced hearts. The sunburst pattern of the rim symbolizes the time that volunteers are giving and their actions. The ribbon uses the viceregal colours of blue and gold. The five gold stripes evoke the fingers of a hand, present in the Caring Canadian Award emblem, while the deep red colour is associated with royalty.
The design of medal was created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, based on a concept by Darcy DeMarsico of the Chancellery of Honours. The medal is manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint at its Ottawa facility."
Pierre would like to thank those who submitted his nomination. He also thanks The Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, for choosing him for this Award.
A teaser playlist of a few of the carols you will hear at our concerts. Enjoy!
About The Stairwell Carollers:
Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while a music student at Ottawa University. The Stairwell Carollers are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs, winning both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions.
A registered Canadian charity, our group helps local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.
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