Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at Southminster United Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 15th, 2018.
Videographers: Matthieu Brennan, Elisa Torlone
Video Editing: Pierre Massie
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.
Katie and Suzannah smile for the camera at choir rehearsal
TOP TEN Reasons to Register! #2 Suzannah Barrett (soprano): "He was super animated and I loved the way he explained things! Sort of like telling stories."
Workshop hosted by The Stairwell Carollers chamber choir - furthering choral excellence and development in Ottawa's choral community now for over 41 years.
Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform In natali Domini, Traditional melody, arrangement by David Rain in memory of his Mom. Here is the backstory to David Rain's dedication to his Mother. All our CDs benefit charities and are available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats. Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 2nd, 2018. Videographers: Matthieu Brennan, Andrew Mason Editing: Pierre Massie
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.
Keith toasts the Christmas singing season at Josée's annual Xmas party
TOP TEN Reasons to Register!
#4 Keith Bailey (bass): "Looking for a choral stimulant? As instructor, teacher and coach, Gabe's the encouraging encapsulation of all that's best. And a most engaging raconteur, into the bargain!"
Workshop is hosted by The Stairwell Carollers - Ottawa's chamber choir furthering choral excellence and development in our choral community for over 41 years.
Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform I Love My Love - a traditional English Melody in an arrangement by Gustav Holst. All our CDs benefit charities and are available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats. Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 2nd, 2018. Videographers: Matthieu Brennan, Andrew Mason Editing: Pierre Massie
About the choir:
Pierre Massie created The Stairwell Carollers in 1977 while a music student at Ottawa U. 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.
Ludwig - in red hoodie - focuses intently at a choir workshop
TOP TEN Reasons to Register! #6 Ludwig (bass): "Gabe has an incredibly intuitive approach to music. He opened up new perspectives on several pieces for us - understanding immediately what we had been trying to achieve through months of practice and, through just a few comments and suggestions, helping us to polish our interpretation to a new and unexpected shine."
Workshop hosted by The Stairwell Carollers chamber choir - furthering choral excellence and development in Ottawa's choral community now for over 41 years. Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform the contemporary gem, Northern Lights, by Ola Gjeilo. Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 2nd, 2018.
Videographers: Matthieu Brennan
Video Editing: Pierre Massie
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.
Master choral teacher, Gabriel Lewis-O'Conner, leads choirs in an engaging fashion!
TOP TEN Reasons to Register!
Number 9 Tina Reilly (alto): "Gabe is an extraordinary musician and highly charismatic educator. The sessions he led for our last workshop were informative, inspiring and entertaining. What more is there?"
Workshop hosted by The Stairwell Carollers chamber choir - furthering choral excellence and development in Ottawa's choral community now for over 41 years.
I Am Not Yours - music by contemporary American choral composer, Z. Randall Stroope. Sung by Ottawa's Stairwell Carollers and guests, Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor and the choirs from Glebe Collegiate.
I Am Not Yours, poem by American poet Sara Teasdale, 1884-1933.
From the Stairwell Carollers 40th anniversary concert, May 5, 2018. (Incorrect date on video).
The 40th anniversary concert ended a weekend workshop event with Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor (formerly of Chanticleer, professional singer and choral conductor). Three Glebe Collegiate choirs joined Stairwell in workshops hosted by Gabriel at the Galilee Centre. Audio: Wayne Hawthorne. Recorded at St. Chrysostom Church, Arnprior, Ontario, Canada, May 5th, 2018. (Incorrect date on video) Videographer: Matthieu Brennan Video Editing: Pierre Massie
About The Stairwell Carollers:
Pierre Massie started our a cappella choir in 1977 while a music student at Ottawa U. 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 Stairwell Carollers help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.
Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 3rd, 2017.
Videographers: Richard Auger, Andrew Mason
Editing: Pierre Massie
Michael created the choral ensemble Anúna. He was thrilled with our rendition of his beautiful song and we applaud his creativity. Anúna is an amazing group that showcases his work. Here is an example.
About Us:
Pierre Massie started our a cappella choir in 1977 while studying music student at Ottawa U.
The Stairwell Carollers scored Gold in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. A registered Canadian charity, we help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales.
Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform the popular French Canadian carol, Doù viens-tu, bergère?, arranged by André Bellefeuille, at their 40th anniversary concert “An all Canadian Christmas”. Purchase our CDs and help many Ottawa/Gatineau charities
Audio: Tom Barnes.
Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 15th, 2017.
Videographers: Matthieu Brennan, Andrew Mason
Video Editing: Pierre Massie
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.
Audio: Tom Barnes.
Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 15th, 2017.
Videographers: Matthieu Brennan, Andrew Mason
Video Editing: Pierre Massie
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.
This piece is very special to us because it was written by ex-Stairweller, Martin Fairbank.
It is also quite rare and beautiful.
Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform A Christmas Lullaby, composed by Martin Fairbank. Performance at the Stairwell Carollers 40th anniversary concert, “An all Canadian Christmas”.
The carollers, an a cappella 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.
Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 15th, 2017.
An exquisite tour de force by Stairwell tenor, David Rain - this song is also a joy to sing!
Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen, arranged by tenor, David Rain.
Premiere performance at the Stairwell Carollers 40th anniversary concert, “An all Canadian Christmas”.
The carollers, an a cappella 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.
Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 15th, 2017.
A teaser playlist of some of the carols you will hear. Enjoy!
About Us:
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.
Here it is! The song list you've been waiting for!
We are so excited to be singing such a wonderful mix of old and new carols! Included are brand-new arrangements of both traditional favourites and rare Xmas treats.
Here is a teaser playlist of some of the carols you will hear. Enjoy!
About The Stairwell Carollers:
Pierre Massie started 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, we also help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales.
The choir always breaks for the summer -- hence no summer concerts! We are all volunteers - and now, especially as we are getting on a bit - long in the tonsils you might say - we are just pooped after Spring concert season is completed.
And, for the first time, I'M taking a break - from the blog and the podcast. In the past I have continued posting through the summer holiday, but now I don't care so much about my NUMBER of readers.
I care more about not boring the pants off you with needless yadda yadda. I'd rather focus on keeping you informed of the choirs doings and getting up tos - which are fascinating -- to me.
For myself, it's my garden, my family and relaxing with good reads.
No worries, blog posts and podcast epis will resume at the end of summer - earlier if anything interesting develops. We will audition again at the end of August - email me anytime to set up your 15 minutes.
Here's a NEW video to check out while you while away your summer vacay. New videos are being posted to YouTube sporadically through the summer and I will do posts to alert you of them when that happens.
Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "I Am Not Yours", written by Z.Randall Stroope.
I LOVE this one!!!
Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 3rd, 2017.
Videographers: Richard Auger, Andrew Mason
Editing: Pierre Massie
About The Stairwell Carollers:
Pierre Massie started our a cappella choir in 1977 while studying music student at Ottawa U.
The Stairwell Carollers scored Gold in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. A registered Canadian charity, we help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales.
Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 3rd, 2017.
Videographers: Richard Auger, Andrew Mason
Editing: Pierre Massie
Michael is the creator of the choral ensemble Anúna. He was thrilled with our rendition of his beautiful song and we applaud his creativity. Anúna is an amazing group that showcases his work. Here is an example.
About Us:
Pierre Massie started our a cappella choir in 1977 while studying music student at Ottawa U.
The Stairwell Carollers scored Gold in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. A registered Canadian charity, we help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales.
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