Pierre Massie receives GG Award - Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers

We are proud to announce that our Director, Pierre Massie has been awarded the coveted Governor General's Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.

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!

Pierre will be wearing his medal at our upcoming Stairwell Caroller Christmas concerts, so please take a moment to congratulate him after the show.

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.

Only 2 

Stairwell Caroller 2018 concerts left

Tickets HERE 

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.

Martha, Alto, in the MS Bike Tour, August 11-12, 2012

Martha, Jose, Susan and Ann relaxing during the CD recording

 Hi everyone -- Martha here :)

My daughter, Kate, on the ride last year

This year my family is again heading out on the MS Bike Tour August 11-12, 2012.

It will be my daughter's and my third time on the tour, and my husband's 10th ride. If you have not already made your charitable donation decisions for 2012, please consider supporting us and this cause.

Kate and I go for the one day ride on the 11th, while hubby Patrick does the full two-day ride (Ottawa-Cornwall on Saturday and back on Sunday).

The symptoms of MS are many and vary for everyone. It’s estimated that approximately 55,000-75,000 men and women in Canada have the disease, and every day about three more people are diagnosed.

Martha, Alto, in the MS Bike Tour, August 11-12, 2012 goo.gl/fb/iZe7Q #noteablemention #charity #inspirational
— Holly Massie (@HollyWroteit) July 19, 2012

The MS Bike Tour has been a critical part of the MS Society’s fundraising efforts for over 20 years. 

Proceeds from this event and others like it provide support and services to help those living with this disease, their families and caregivers. They also fund research with three primary goals: to find a cause and cure for MS, repair nervous system damage caused by
MS and stop MS attacks.

Secure on-line donations can be made HERE.

Thank you!

Martha

NOTEable Mention -- The PR Committee

David, Ann, Bill and Diana check out clippings

Congratulations to this year's amazing PR committee who worked so hard to get us on the global  music map!


David, using his natural interest in journalistic writing, has produced many articles about the choir. We all hope he continues, since his talent and drive in contacting all the local newspapers and keeping track of important details along the way is unparallelled.
Thanks so much, David!

Ann has many contacts in the media and with her experience with publicity has helped galvanize the PR committee into what it has become. She is a lynchpin in ways I can't even imagine. Invariably, when I ask her, "Hey, Ann, did you see this community paper or that online billboard?" she had -- and she had already contacted them and was waiting on an answer.
Thanks, Ann!

Diana, our Vice-President, plays down her involvement, claiming that she has mostly proof-read copy. Of course, she looks over David's articles and press releases and (in her own words) enjoys tweaking words and phrases. Likewise for other print and web material,  looking over the newsletter and programs for font types and sizes, spelling, and overall visual appearance. She even managed to spell check in two different languages this year: Huron and Spanish! (but speaks neither -- amazing!) Don't ask her to do the same for numbers or financial documents, though (her own words, again.)

She also talks up the choir A LOT and puts up posters wherever she can.
Thanks a bunch, Di!

René, our president, at the AGM with the Steering Comittee

 René, our President, is our main "French Connection" for the PR committee.  Like the entire choir, many of the PR committee are francophone or bilingual, but his pristine understanding of the French language makes him the perfect translator-on-the-spot. He also steers us toward French media and venues we may have missed otherwise. We are looking forward to some exciting possibilities for festivals and competitions coming up proposed by René and the Steering committee. Keep tuned here to stay up to date.
Merci, René!

Pete, husband and director, and me, Holly

Holly (that's me) --  if you read this  blog you know that I hold up the internet end of the PR skip rope. Twitter, Facebook and myriad other sites have filled my head with passwords and filled my inbox with both interesting ideas, opportunities and (sometimes) dubious offers for the choir. I like postering too.
Thanks, me :)

I also take most of the photos found here.

Although not an official PR committee member, Andrea pulled some personal strings and got us a wonderful hour long Christmas Special on Rogers cable, which was beautifully directed by the Rogers staff and played many times over the 2011 Christmas season.

It will also be a great souvenir for the choir members -- thanks, Andy!

Michel (wife of Rene) setting up CDs at a concert venue

Many others, choir members and supporters, have helped promote the Stairwell Carollers this past year. They sold tickets, CDs and cookbooks and went door to door to businesses to get ads for the program. 

Thank you to all who shared our YouTube channel, The Stairwell Caroller Choir Blog and our Official Website and Liked us on Facebook too. Don't stop!

Thank you,Thank you,Thank you to everyone who went above and beyond their singing contribution. Volunteerism is at our heart and keeps us strong and productive as an organization.

Pierre Massie wins prestigious Ottawa-Carleton District School Board "Arts Recognition Award"

Pete with his Glebe Offbeat group at Winterlude 2010

Exciting News!

The director and founder of the Stairwell Carollers, Pierre Massie, has been chosen as the recipient of the OCDSB (Ottawa-Carleton District School Board)  Arts Recognition Award for Secondary Integrated Arts for 2010-2011.

An excerpt of the email Mr. Jim Mcnabb, chair of the Awards Committee, sent Pete the other day informing him of his win is below.

Dear Pierre Massie.

It is with great pleasure that the Advisory Committee on the Arts of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board announces that you are the recipient of the Arts Recognition Award for Secondary Integrated Arts for 2010-2011. Your nomination from Principal Pat Kulka was assessed in relation to other applications and was deemed by the Committee to be very worthy of this award. Your enthusiasm and long hours of hard work as the Arts Department Head and a Music teacher inspiring your students and your fellow Arts teachers have been outstanding for years. Your mentorship of the strong Visual Arts and Drama programmes, along with your wonderful instruction in the Music Department which creates the highly appreciated Music Nights, inspires all those around you at Glebe Collegiate Institute. Most remarkable is your unique OFFBEAT group which integrates a variety of arts to produce an amazing rhythm ensemble. Your passion for the arts has enriched all your students immeasurably. Please accept our heartiest congratulations.

Sincerely,

Jim McNabb, Chair, Awards Committee ACA

Michael Wilson, Judy Kirsh, Co-Chairs, Advisory Committee on the Arts

Cc Pat Kulka, Principal, Glebe Collegiate Institute

Greg Wysynski, Instructional Coach: The Arts, OCDSB

Pierre Massie wins Ottawa-Carleton District School Board "Arts Recognition Award" stairwellcarollers.blogspot.ca/2011/09/pierre… #teachingexcellence #Ottawa
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) November 5, 2012

Congratulations from all the Stairwell Carollers Pete, on this achievement. You've worked long and hard to earn the recognition it represents.

CHOIR HOW-TO -- The Choir Secretary -- NOTEable Mention -- Andrea Walton, the Magnificent

Andrea, on her cell, getting everyone where they should be for A CBC radio spot

CHOIR SECRETARY
Andrea Walton, soprano, and my dear friend, has been the most efficient and exhaustive secretary any organization could have.  I prefer to think of her as administrative manager because she handles so many of the administrative tasks necessary to the smooth running of our choir machine.


STEERING COMMITTEE

From the recording of the Minutes and clarifying Action Items at each Steering Committee meeting to taking attendance at each rehearsal, Andrea does dozens of tasks in between. I've touched on some major ones in this post.

A Steering Committee meeting can last all afternoon. Andrea helps focus the team while she records the Minutes.

COMMUNICATION
As any good manager knows, clear and regular communication is key to an efficient operation.   She supplies each choir member with a regularly updated phone and email list of the membership in both xls and pdf formats.

AUDITIONS
Before the Fall season starts we do auditions. Sorry, ANDREA takes all the calls, sets up and organizes the audition nights.

We just show up.

Communication!

MUSIC PACKAGE
For many years, at the beginning of each season, Andrea gave each choir member a package that she had organized the reproduction and collation of. The package includes the sheet music, an up to date phone and email list, the season's song list and rehearsal dates, and info sheets on Stairwell Caroller performance, costume and commitment requirements (attendance and preparation). Quite the document! Now, the choir members go to a special link on our website and download and print their own.

PROMOTION

Database and email queen that she is, Andrea was the first to have a signature promoting the choir on all her emails. Most of us now have adopted that simple yet effective promotional device. She further created and manages the email database of the "Friends of the Stairwell Carollers" -- our Newsletter fan list. When concert time nears, Andrea shows up to rehearsal with programs and posters, flyers and tickets, all printed and collated into individual packets to help each choir member promote the concert and maximize ticket sales. We each get an envelope with 10 tickets and simply  return the envelope with money and any unsold (never!) tickets to Susan, our Treasurer.

A CD door prize results in names for our mailing list

After the concert, Andrea can't wait to gather up the new names for the Newsletter database.

Outside CD tray Proof for our Madrigal  CD, Audite Nova

 CD PRODUCTION
CD production has been largely in Andrea's hands, whether finding the right company for the graphic design or circulating the proofs to the Steering Committee to ferret out typos or correct colour choices.

EVENTS COORDINATION
Recently, Andrea took on Events Coordination. This involves everything from communicating with and meeting church or venue representatives and confirming event details, to investigating new venues and opportunities for appearances. Suggestions are now handed over to her.

Listening attentively to our Director, Andrea is as meticulous in her vocal work as she is with her paperwork

IRREPLACEABLE
In every task that Andrea has taken on, she has performed above and beyond what was asked, and is always available by email or phone. She completes everything in record time, making the choir run smoothly and efficiently. Pierre, our director, praises her commitment and passion for this huge responsibility, that, for years now, she has borne  with a winning smile.

Every choir NEEDS an Andrea Walton, but, sorry, we got her and she's worth a million to us.

Maybe two million..

NOTEable Mention -- our Director, Pierre Massie, Master Maestro, Master Teacher

Pierre (Pete) Massie founded the " Stairwell Carollers " in 1977 and (in his own words) has had the honour and privilege of directing the group ever since.

Hailing from the frozen northern town of Timmins, Ontario, Pierre won first place in the local Kiwanis music festival in the vocal category when he was only 9.

Pete in 1976 -- 2nd year Ottawa University -- learning violin

Pierre began his University career at Ottawa University in 1975, with a Major in Saxophone and a Minor in Voice. Under the expert guidance of his voice teacher, Gloria Richard, he received his Bachelor of Music and his Bachelor of Education in 1980. He recalls how he would often tease Angela Hewitt by banging on the piano or on a drum kit in a nearby cubicle. He achieved a Grade 6 Conservatory equivalence on all brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments, as well as violin.

After graduation in 1980, Pete had a 3-year  teaching stint back in his hometown of Timmins. While teaching full-time he sang lead for his successful top 40 rock cover band, LEGACY, and had the occasion to give new-comer Shania Twain vocal tips. Pete returned in 1984 to our Nations Capital and has made Ottawa his home ever since.

In 1991, he co-authored one of the few French music theory manuals in publication here in Canada, commissioned by the Ministry of Education: Concepts musicaux I / Pierre Massie, Richard Ranger ; Denis Proulx, coordination.

In 1995, Michel Benac of SWING fame, joined the group. Consequently, Pierre joined Michel's a cappella group, SAIJ (Saturday Afternoon In July). SAIJ went on to win the prix Trille Or 2003 for best new group.

SAIJ -- Michel Benac on left next to Pierre

Several music composition awards are to his credit, including First Place for his original composition "I Saw a Swete Semly Syght" in the Toronto Amadeus Choir's International Christmas Song Competition. His lovely carol premiered Dec. 5, 1999 at the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto and was broadcast nationally on CBC radio on Christmas day. Again in 2007, Pierre took first place in the same competition for "Eya, eya, gaudeamus". The piece was performed in Toronto by the Amadeus Choir on Friday, December 14, at the Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. Again this year, Pierre won honourable mention in the Amadeus competition for his composition "Laudemus cum armonia".

Pierre has been a music teacher in the Ottawa/Carleton School Board since 1987. When he taught at Osgoode Township High School in Metcalfe, he founded a Stomp - inspired percussion group he dubbed OFFBEAT. On a trip to New York, he met with the cast of STOMP who gave him invaluable advice about broom upkeep and encouragement for OFFBEAT's continued success.

Over his 13 years at Osgoode, he directed a complex musical variety show each spring, showcasing the huge musical talent in the tiny 700-student school.  Spectacular musical numbers from CATS, The PHANTOM of the OPERA, Les MISERABLES and others were featured. The high school had to hold two performances over two nights to accommodate the over 1500 audience members in attendance.Not an easy feat considering the fact that there was no auditorium and the school had to give up a main gym for a week in preparation. The show became a major event at the school and the phys ed teachers willingly took classes outside and sometimes across the street to the community centre to accommodate the extravaganza.

As the only one capable to teach the group, Pierre took OFFBEAT with him to his current position as Head of Fine Arts at Glebe Collegiate High School. OFFBEAT  is now a credited Music percussion course there. OFFBEAT wins Gold at every Music festival they enter, and are usually the only ones in their category. To perform in Festival, the pieces had to have a score, and Pierre developed his own transcription language for basketballs, brooms, garbage cans and plastic. For those who don't know, the festivals are not competitive and the Gold ranking is only conferred on a group that has very high marks from the adjudicators.

For two years, Pete was Director of the Osgoode Arts Council, where he learned invaluable information about arts organizations and community responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the choir was improving -- and through specific fund-raising, was able to produce the first CD, Qui Creavit Celum. Pierre then launched our website, www.stairwellcarollers.com  , which he designed from the ground up, learning how to heft HTML like a pro.

Composer, Pierre Massie

Often over summer vacation Pete is taken by the composition muse and disappears to our back porch for hours at a time. Inspiration can be a storm, a mourning dove or  just  the sound of the wind in the trees.

I'm just tagging along, enjoying the ride.

BEHIND THE SONG -- Volunteerism -- the Heart of the Stairwell Carollers

 A choir like The Stairwell Carollers would get very little done without the spirit of volunteerism.  Joining the Stairwell Carollers is a commitment not only to singing -- both rehearsing and performing --  but a commitment to sharing the tasks inherent to the success of such a group.  One of our mandates is to raise money for local charities.  Therefore we have to try to save as much money as possible by using talents and resources within the group.

René and Simon hoisting the lights

I intend to write posts highlighting individuals in the choir who deserve recognition for their contributions in volunteering their time above and beyond the job of chorister.  However, this is not a competition.  No judgment is intended of how much time a person is able to volunteer or not.  The spirit of volunteering is that you do it freely, with no thought for personal gain or aggrandizement.  There are so many reasons to volunteer -- The betterment of the group, the enrichment of the experience, self-satisfaction, morale boosting -- I could go on and on.  But as usual, I've probably said too much.

Michèle Voyer busy selling

Pete and Holly

My husband,Pete, has said on a number of occasions, that without the committees, without all the help of the volunteers, he would not have the energy to continue the huge job of directing the choir.

We have, within the Stairwell Carollers, many generous individuals who give of their time and share their expertise by volunteering to do tasks that are necessary, but not necessarily fun.

Susan on the run with the money

Susan has volunteered to do the Brochure and keeps it up to date with new info and photos.

Andrea Walton, Soprano and choir secretary

Pierre puts together all the programs on his computer.When they are ready, Andrea Walton does all the copying and assembling of packages.

Susan's daughter and Michèle

Volunteers in the choir help with folding the programs and brochures. Most members help to sell CDs and cookbooks at  Xmas at their workplaces, but Susan, her daughter, and Rene's lovely wife, Michèle, usually manage sales at our concerts and other venues.

There are many other tasks that choir members (and their families) do for the choir -- I have mentioned only a few here. I will try to thank everyone eventually -- and at the same time throw some illumination on the work BEHIND THE SONG.

Holly ;)

CHOIR HOW-TO -- the Treasurer -- NOTEable Mention

If your group collects money, you HAVE to have a Treasurer. The ideal is a knowledgeable, trustworthy person, within your ranks, who can fill the position. Be wary of appointing just anyone -- the responsibility is a huge one and since it involves money, it must be organized and accountable.

We are extremely fortunate to have such a person in the Stairwell Carollers. Susan Pullan, Alto, has been with us since 1996 and her voice can be heard on each of our 6 CDs.

Susan at Rideau Hall in Victorian costume, 2001

Taking notes at  Steering Committee

With the production of our first cassette tape, we realized the need for a formal book-keeper, and Denyse Mageau, Soprano, stepped in as our first treasurer. There virtually when the choir began-- and still in the choir today -- she served valiantly for a number of years, struggling with the number-crunching task without the benefit of computers and spreadsheets. A former member, David Malecki, (Tenor and a computer programmer) took the job to the next level -- a budget with electronic accountability.

When Susan joined the Steering Committee and became Treasurer we had reached a turning point. As each treasurer before, she worked with the tools at hand and gave willingly of her time and expertise. Not only does she continue to fulfill this responsibility with precision and grace, she gives us reports  of sales and our cash flow status.She produces these reports at the conclusion of each singing season -- twice a year.

In all the years since, there has been no other choir member who could replace her as Treasurer with such apparent ease and modest good humour. We are blessed that she is ready and willing to continue performing for the choir both onstage and off.

She also makes a mean Boccocini Salad :)

❀♥♫☼✮✮❀♥♫☼✮✮❀♥♫☼✮✮❀♥♫☼✮✮❀♥♫☼✮✮

Because the Stairwell Carollers is a registered non-profit charity, we must hold an AGM (annual general meeting) once a year and share our budget with the membership (the choir's current members). The AGM is usually held at the beginning of September after our summer hiatus. Accountability to your public is priceless. If you have no-one in the choir to do this important job, and a lot of money to manage, you may have to pay an accountant to do the books for you.

NOTEable Mention -- our Roadies :) TECH NOTES -- Lighting and sound for concerts

Unlike most rock bands, we don't have roadies that hang out in the green room inhaling the after-show munchies-- we DO have some groupies, but that's another story...

After-concert munching

 We look to our own ranks to get the non-singing, but necessary tasks done, which will enhance our performances. Setting up the lights, sound equipment and  risers goes to the highest bidder. Uh, I mean, the most willing and strong-backed in the choir.

Rene setting up sound

Rene, Bass, takes care of and transports the bulky lighting and sound equipment with his own van.

Susan and John relaxing at intermission

The choir invested in a quality set of risers a few years ago. When they are needed, setup  is supervised by Susan -- who transports them with her own van from the equipments home in the basement at a local high school.

Rex and Morgan Lifting the Heavy

LAST SEASON"S  ROAD CREW

Morgan focuses, while Rene holds the ladder -- safety first!

Morgan - our youngest Tenor, does a lot of the heavy lifting for us and loves to focus the lights.

 

Diana, cord mistress

  Diana, a  wondrous Soprano, runs cords and tapes them down.
"Helping with the lighting means having Pete screech "Bzzzzzt" electrical sounds whenever you plug something in. He keeps us on our toes."

David, staring into the light...

Rex, far right -- note furry slippers in Basic Black -- concert-ready!

Long-time Tenor, David -- and hilarious, furry-slippered-wearing Bass, Rex -- set up smaller box risers when needed. They also help to focus lights.
   Other helpers, Huguette - Soprano, John - Bass and former tenor, Youssef, round out our 2010 crew. Of course many others pitched in, and if I missed you I'm sorry -- feel free to correct me in a comment below:)