Choral Workshop with Gabriel Lewis-O'Conner a Transformative Experience

A week ago, I had the absolute privilege of attending a 3-day workshop with my Ottawa Choir, The Stairwell Carollers, led by the incredibly talented, observant, and kind Gabe Lewis-O'Connor.

To say this experience was transformative would be an understatement.  Not only did our sound change and evolve as a collective in those 3 short (intense) days, but we were provided with so many new tools and ideas to furnish ourselves with moving forward on our individual vocal journeys.

... It was pretty nostalgic seeing some "theatre" exercises called upon, too, after a 5+ year hiatus.  (8-count shake-outs anyone?)  Exploring the parallels between theatrical character and voice work, and the nuances of choral music and various composers was certainly a highlight.

Still such an amazing privilege to be part of his group of diversely talented, enthusiastic, and supportive musicians.  

Please, please, if you are able, ... DO come see our show on June 7th.  

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE ONLINE ONLY

This isn't me flogging ticket sales out of necessity.  This is me wanting to share this music with as many folks as possible, and guaranteeing you that you WILL smile, feel, and leave with a different kind of lightness than what you may or may not have come in with.  

Shayna M (from FaceBook)

A registered Canadian charity, The Stairwell Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert tickets, CDs, Digital Downloads and Streaming 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. 

Future Perfect Conditional Facts about auditioning - FareWell Dear Love - YouTube

You May Have Been Going to be in The Stairwell Carollers If you were NOT to Have Been Going to Change your Mind about Auditioning!

If you don't understand that sentence, don't feel bad.

I have to admit I had to Google it.

So, despite this being hilarious to a word nerd like me, apparently English has no "Imperfect" thus, sadly, the grammar is flawed. Here is an exhaustive (and exhausting) post with an explanation.

In the meantime, You should email us to set up your audition! I'm sure you are either a man who is a bass or tenor, or a woman who is an alto.

(Sorry sopranos, maybe next audition round!)

Farewell, Dear Love, by Robert Jones, sung by the Stairwell Carollers...
Robert Jones was a Renaissance lutenist and composer.
Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 2nd, 2018.
Videographers: Matthieu Brennan, Andrew Mason
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Surprise! We are an Ottawa choir, with members from all over the Ottawa Region and Outaouais.

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.

The Monkees Sing Riu Riu Chiu - I'm in love all over again!

K... This is the sweetest thing on the internet right now. Thanks David!

The Monkees sing Riu Riu Chiu. Thanks to TanjaBarnes channel on Youtube for an early Christmas gift!

And here's our version! 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 the net proceeds from our concert ticket and CD sales.

Ottawa Choral Masterclass with Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor - Limited enrolment, BOOK NOW!

MASTERCLASS with Gabriel Lewis O’Connor 

former member of Chanticleer

Gabriel Lewis-O'connor lunches with Pete during last years choral workshop

Gabe has recently returned to the Midwest from Seattle, Washington, where he was an active singer, director and choral clinician. Currently a doctoral student in choral conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Gabe received his master’s degree from the same institution, studying with Dr. Robert Bode.

Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor in workshop with Stairwell and the Glebe choirs

Prior to graduate school, he sang for four years, with the
professional vocal ensemble Chanticleer.

Gabe received a bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, and hails from Lawrence, Kansas.

Gabe and Holly enjoy a laugh at last year's Galillee Choir Retreat in Arnprior

As a teacher and conductor he frequently leads both vocal masterclasses and choral clinics at the high school and collegiate levels, and, above all else, is passionate about sharing music with others.

When not making music with others, Gabe tries to spend as much time outside as possible with his wife Lauren, fishing-obsessed 7 year-old son Eamon, and fiery 5 year-old daughter Celia.

To participate in The Masterclass you must…

1. Be a CURRENT OR FORMER MEMBER of any Greater Ottawa/Gatineau region choir.
2. Prepare the following three songs -

(Scores provided at registration – files are provided for practice purposes)

Fa una canzone – Orazio Vecchi – Public domain

Tourdion (Quand je bois du vin) – Pierre Attaignant – Public domain

Remember – Stephen Chatman – copyright – Original scores provided at registration

MASTERCLASS DETAILS

Date: Saturday May 18. 2019

Time: 9 am to noon ( 8:30 am registration)

Cost: $25 

All music scores included in your registration package

Location: Saint Joseph Parish Hall, 2757 St. Joseph Blvd, Orléans, ON K1C 1G4

We have room for 60 participants; first come, first serve

If sold out, email us.  Your name will be added to our cancellation list.

Click on the Canada Helps logo to register. Deadline is May 15, 2019

Click here to Register now

Only 60 spots available

Workshop hosted by The Stairwell Carollers chamber choir - furthering choral excellence and development in Ottawa's choral community now for over 41 years. 

About Us:

Pierre Massie started The Stairwell Carollers in 1977 while obtaining his Bachelor in Music Education at U of Ottawa. Pete sings, plays piano, saxophone and flute and attained a grade 6 in all band instruments (including violin) - making him one of the most valuable and effective Secondary School music teachers in Ontario. 

Now retired from teaching, he directs our a cappella choir from the tenor section, giving the Carollers chorus their signature look and sound. 

The Stairwell Carollers hold top marks from years of participation in local Kiwanis festivals, going on to win both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions.  

A registered Canadian charity, we continue to help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Donations receive a charitable receipt.

The Galilee Centre - Part 3 - Concert at St. John Chrysostom in Arnprior

Part 3 - A weekend Away - Concert!

All the singers from both Stairwell and Glebe Collegiate gather in anticipation of the performance.

Pete and René check out the acoustics from the choir loft.

At the concert, the Glebe girl's choir rocked!

The after party went late into the night throughout many of Galilee Centre's cozy rooms. Here in the porch, Gabe regaled the group with tales of Chanticleer.

Kristina proved to be a terrific party pianist. Random singing and carousing ensued.

Denyse and Andrew toast the concert and say farewell for the summer holidays.

Testimony of the weekend's success from returning bass, Keith - as reported in our upcoming Christmas newsletter:

"The Choral Workshop held May 4th to 6th at The Galilee Centre in Arnprior was a true highlight of our 40th anniversary season. The fact that we were "in residence" helped promote those personal contacts and friendships so essential in singing as an ensembled chorale. Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor, former member of the world-renowned male chorus Chanticleer, proved to be a most congenial and engaging leader, while at the same time reflective, analytical, instructive and encouraging.  He is also a great raconteur: the workshops and the informal gatherings- as if not already spirited enough- were further enlivened by Gabe's wealth of stories!  

The concluding concert at St John Chrysostom, with choirs from Glebe Collegiate presenting their own pieces and joining with The Carollers and Gabe as soloist in Pierre's arrangement of "Hostias" from Fauré's Requiem, was, surely, an absolute delight for singer and listener alike!"

 Keith Bailey, bass

Part 1 is HERE

Part 2 - Denyse (en Français) (in English)

Learn more about the Galilee Centre
History of the Galilee Centre
Who are the Oblates?
Galilee Centre Mission and Vision

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie started our a cappella choir in 1977 while a music student at Ottawa U. 

The Stairwell Carollers are proud to have won 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.

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

The Stairwell Interviews - Maggie - soprano, alto, teacher - she does it all!

Since submitting this to me many moons ago, Maggie has become invaluable to the choir for much more than her beautiful voice. We record the audio at each rehearsal and she creates a definitive rehearsal time code sheet for each one.  The recordings are our Virtual Choir and her indexing helps so much when we want to rehearse at home. She also monitors pages and links for the website and does the occasional writing assignment too.

She has sung with us now for ten years :)

Thanks, Maggie, for all you do!
1. I, Margaret-Anne "Maggie" Park have been/was with the Stairwell Carollers for five seasons.

I currently sing soprano 1 and/or soprano 2, but I joined as an alto 2 (and sang alto 1 on one concert, without rehearsing for it <gulp!>).

2. Some people play golf, throw pottery on a wheel, write Blogs -- why did you choose to sing? 

I have a lot of hobbies, but singing is like reclaiming a part of my soul that had been missing for a long time, since I hadn't sung regularly since graduating from university nearly 30 years ago, until I joined two choirs (apart from a one-year stint with another choir).

3. Why choral music? 
I love to hear the interweaving of harmonies -- actually, I love being *part* of the interweaving harmonies. Why not Hip-hop or Opera? Hmm -- if they somehow come up with a hip-hop or operatic group that focuses on pure pitching without grunting or vibrato, I might possibly consider it.... What is different about singing a cappella? You don't get to cheat on the notes -- you have to rely on yourself and those around you to keep true to pitch, without vibrato, which is an interesting intellectual exercise that has the amazing reward of creating collectively pure joy and emotion through music. It's a lot of work, but incredibly rewarding, to be part of a collective mind that can produce this type of unique music. Aside from the obvious -- that there is no piano or orchestra...

4. What brought you to the Stairwell Carollers? 

As I was coming home on the bus from university, I happened to see a sign advertising the Ottawa Folk Choir, and it struck me how much fun it would be to sing in a group again. However, since that choir met on a night that I was not available, I decided to see what other local choirs there were. I chanced on two that appealed to me, and emailed both about becoming a member. Alas, Stairwell Carollers did not have any openings for female voices at the time but the secretary offered to keep in touch if they needed female voices. And, at the end of the next summer, I was contacted. I'd been singing soprano 1 for a year with the other choir, but Stairwell was looking for altos. Fortunately, I'd actually been singing alto most of my life, and I have a nearly three octave range, so I was able to audition, was accepted, and have been enjoying the purity of sound ever since! On the spiritual side, I feel closer to the Creator when singing liturgical music, especially when we sound like only one voice per part. The feeling is indescribable to one who has never felt that close to baring one's soul for the enlightenment of others; to bring a composer's work into being is incredibly satisfying -- *almost* as good as dark chocolate!

5. Anything else of Note? (pun intended)

When singing soprano 2, I habitually sing while standing on a box, or a hastily-improvised raised platform which challenges my sense of balance and my fear of falling and breaking my leg again. ;o)

6. Have you had a Stairwell Caroller “Ah-Ha” moment you can relate?

Listening to the master of "Cantate Domino" and being blown away at how good we sound!

7. Sum up our director, Pete, in three words or less... or more... 

Visionary; driven; teacher.

Sing to forget the April Showers - Eat and Drink Too with Tourdion ("Quand je vois du vin clairet")

Ok, we all need SOMETHING to distract us from this so-called "Spring" weather!

Join us for a Pub Night bevvie!

A long-standing Stairwell Tradition - once a month Pub Night allows Stairwellers to relax and get to know each other a bit more. We can also sit near and chat up peeps from OTHER sections (gasp). A certain bass named Christoph is FASCINATING.

Oops, did I say that out loud?

Thus, here is our fave drinking song, "Tourdion", a madrigal in wonderful Old French, by Claude Gervaise (1525–1583),  a composer, editor and arranger of the Renaissance period.

This one is strictly not a cappella because it has a tudor drum accompaniment.  The rustic sound recaptures for us the atmosphere of a smoky candlelit 16th century pub. Short, but sweet - and evocative of the era, watch it twice!

Tourdion is on our madrigal CD Audite nova - available on our website in both CD format and as MP3 download.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, May 31st, 2014.
Videographers: Gert-Jan van Heuzen, Kevin Millington.
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

The Stairwell Carollers, an a cappella chorus started in 1977 by founder/director Pierre Massie, has earned the distinction of being ranked with the best of Ontario choirs.

If you love our music, a Donation would be greatly appreciated.
Please DONATE to our 40th fundraising goal of $15,000 to aid planned workshops and celebrations!

(All Donations receive a charitable tax receipt.)

Get our professional recordings - Stairwell Carollers CDs help local charities. Purchase from our website as CD OR MP3 :)

DID YOU KNOW? 

The Stairwell Carollers group has competed in Ottawa Kiwanis Festivals for over 20 years and went on to place First in both the 2010 and 2013 OMFA provincial competitions! 

Early Music Trivia Quiz- No Drake, Bieber or Gaga

A Musical Trivia Quiz to celebrate the arrival (or not) of Spring:) 

ANSWERS AT END OF POST

1. Which British composer, whose work we'll be performing on May 27th at St Martin's Church, lived in London at the same time as Shakespeare?

In fact, he is one of the few composers of the only surviving contemporary settings of verse by Shakespeare...  (don't cheat by clicking the link!)

2. From just the title of this piece, Abendlied (evening song), can you guess which Bible story it is referring to?

Clue : it is in the New Testament.

3. What is a composer attempting to express in a madrigal?

And what is a madrigal?

4. If you were to read the song lyrics "falalala", you would likely think they come from the Christmas song Deck the Halls. But, this Spring, we are singing these lyrics too! Can you guess what the name of our piece is, and where the "falalala" comes from?

5. Which Renaissance Franco-Flemish composer was so influential in his time that he:

• was kidnapped three times as a child, because of the beauty of his singing voice? 
• occupied the prestigious post of "maestro di capella" at one of Rome's churches at only age 21? 
• received invitations from monarchs of France, emperors, and the Pope?

6.  In what era do you think this piece was composed? Take a wild guess!
"La la la, je ne l'ose dire" tells the story of a husband who has many reasons to be jealous of his wife, because she will go to sea with anyone. In the song, you can also hear all the village gossips. The moral of the story : "sadly, marriage lasts for eternity!"

7. This German composer composed many madrigals. In fact, his book of madrigals was used in music teaching for more than 100 years after its publication and he is now considered one of the madrigal leaders.

What's the name of the composer?

8. Quite a few of our pieces this Spring talk about the longings for love. But which one is based on an award-winning poem from 1918 by Sara Teasdale?

• I love my love, 
• Say love if ever, 
• I am not yours, or 
• Farewell dear love.

9. This French composer was a close friend of Camille Saint-Saëns, was invited to Buckingham Palace in 1908, was given an unprecedented national musical tribute in 1922...his musical style influenced many 20th Century composers.

Who was he?

10. There are various arrangements of Fauré's Requiem, Offertorium. What makes Pierre Massie's arrangement (premiered this Spring) a special one?

11. Can you give us the name of the German composer who was an expert in designing organs and who developed a clockwork organ later sold to the Emperor Rudolf II?

ANSWERS
(drum roll)

1. Thomas Morley.

2. It is from Luke 24, when the two disciples invite Jesus to stay with them : « Abide with us, for evening shadows darken, and the day will soon be over... »)

3.  The composer is trying to express the emotion contained in each line of a celebrated poem. A madrigal is a secular vocal music composition of the Renaissance and early Baroque eras.

4. My Bonny Lass. Dance-like rhythms and the Fa la la refrains typical of an Italian balletto.

5. Roland de Lassus, 1530-1594.

6. In the Renaissance era. By Pierre Certon 1510-1572

7. Jacques Arcadelt.

8.  I am not yours.

9.  Gabriel Fauré 1845-1924.

10. It is an all a cappella arrangement - no instrumental parts.

11. Hans Leo Hassler.

Quiz created by Kristina, soprano :) Photos by Holly, alto

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie began our a cappella choir way back in 1977 while studying music at Ottawa U. The Stairwell Carollers are ranked with 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. 
Net proceeds benefit charity.

Fa una canzone - Italian Madrigal - Youtube live concert video

Woo Hoo - it's March 1st!!

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, sing Fa una canzone by Orazio Vecchi - an Italian composer of the late Renaissance.

A madrigal all about singing - which Pete and I have been doing since we met -- check out our wedding pic above!

You can own it too - Fa una canzone is on our Renaissance Madrigal CD “Audite nova” 

Fa una canzone English translation  (thanks to CPDL)

"Write a song with no black notes
If you ever wanted my favour
Write it so that it will bring me to sleep
Make it end sweetly, sweetly.

Don't put any harshness into it
Because my ears are not used to that
Write it so that ...

Don't write numbers, or counterpoint
This is my main design
Write it so that ...

Using this style lucky Orpheus
Managed to pacify Proserpina, down under
Write it so that ...

This is the style which sweetly appeased
Saul's fierce spirit!
Write it so that ..."   CPDL

Our professional recordings are well-reviewed and available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats. Net proceeds benefit charity.

Subscribe to our Youtube channel to watch our more than 270 videos. New vids coming soon!

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 4th, 2016.

Videographers: Luc Nugent and Kolin Casagrande.

Editing: Pierre Massie.
Photos: Holly Massie.

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie started our a cappella choir way back in 1977 while a music student at Ottawa U. The Stairwell Carollers are ranked with the best of Ontario choirs, winning Ontario Music Festival Association competitions in 2010 and 2013. 

A registered Canadian charity, we help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales. 

 DONATE to support our 40th Anniversary workshops! 

Kristina's Perspective, Part TWO

PART ONE HERE
Nos répétitions dans les églises nous donnent l'opportunité de pratiquer les chiffres romains...

We also get to see some cool doors... par exemple, cette jolie porte à Ottawa..

Un moment de sérénité avant un de nos concerts. Blue like...peaceful :)

Colourful stained glass at the St. Joseph d'Orleans church (made by Dutch artist Gerry Mesterom)

Neat mural painting in the basement of the St Columba church, in Manor Park.
Saviez-vous que cette église a été construite par un ancien officier de l'armée de l'air, John Devris?

Busy preparing for the concert receptions...ici, notre chanteur ténor Andrew, en charge du café.

The Stairwell Carollers also enjoy pub nights -de belles discussions autour d'un verre de bière!

Cool clocks from around the world, in the Clocktower Brew Pub...

Finishing with a fun quote by Paulo Coelho :
"Rien n'est complètement faux dans le monde. Même une horloge arrêtée réussit à être à l'heure deux fois par jour!"

PART ONE HERE

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Please DONATE to support our 40th year workshops! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie started our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. The Stairwell Carollers are ranked alongside the best of Ontario choirs, winning both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. 

A registered Canadian charity, we also help out local charities with our concert, CD, and cookbook sales.

Dans les Coulisses des Chanteurs Stairwell Behind the Scenes - Part One

From Kristina's perspective PART ONE - PART TWO HERE
Are you curious about what our choir is up to between concerts?

Come on in and see!

Here are photos of some special moments from the past few months :)

October 2017 : a choral workshop with Mark Sirett -compositeur et chef de choeur canadien.

A few of us also got to hear Rajaton sing...un super ensemble a capella finlandais.

December 2017 -getting to meet Dominion Carillonneur, Andrea McCrady.

...and seeing / hearing the bells from up close. Saviez-vous qu'il y a 53 cloches au parlement?

Our official photographer and PR representative, Holly, is always capturing new scenes ;)

During our Christmas concert season, we come across various musical instruments...
Reconnaissez-vous cet instrument de musique? Savez-vous à quoi servent les trois pédales? :)

À Bientot!

PART TWO HERE

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Au sujet des Chanteurs Stairwell:

C'est en 1977 que notre ensemble vocal naît de l'initiative de Pierre Massie, un étudiant en musique à l'Université d'Ottawa. En tant que lauréats des concours de l'Ontario Music Festival Association de 2010 et 2013, nous pouvons affirmer que nous nous classons parmi les meilleures chorales de l'Ontario.

Nous sommes un organisme de bienfaisance canadien enregistré et les recettes de nos concerts, de la vente de CD, de téléchargements et de streaming nous permettent d'aider notre communauté. Ainsi, depuis 1997, nous avons remis plus de 143 800 $ en dons à des organismes caritatifs locaux et en bourses d'études.