A Virgin Most Pure - featured on Catholic Culture Podcast! Youtube video

The Catholic Culture Podcast is featuring our performance of A Virgin Most Pure in Episode 59 - The Glorious English Carol. Thanks to Thomas V. Mirus for honouring us with this inclusion. 

Our carol is at 36:02 in the podcast.

The carol is on our O magnum mysterium Christmas CD, available through our website in both CD and MP3 format.
Here it is our live concert video on Youtube

The podcast episode is a wonderful overview of the English Carol with many other carol examples included, such as (from the podcast episode description):

Erik Routley, The English Carol https://www.amazon.com/English-Carol-Erik-Routley/dp/0837169895

Andrew Gant, The Carols of Christmas https://www.amazon.com/Carols-Christmas-Celebration-Surprising-Favorite/dp/0718031520

All music in this episode used with permission from the recording artist and/or label.

Agincourt Carol, Alamire https://www.amazon.com/Deo-Gracias-Anglia-Alamire/dp/B008L1GZUO

Nowell sing we both all and some, Quire Cleveland https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/quirecleveland2

Gabriel From Heaven’s King, Quire Cleveland https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/quirecleveland2

A Virgin Most Pure, Stairwell Carolers https://www.stairwellcarollers.com/en/o-magnum-mysterium/

Coventry Carol, Harry Christophers and the Sixteen, available on the CORO record label at https://thesixteenshop.com/

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.

CCPodcast S.2 #14 - Singing in a Humanitarian Key

Pierre Massie and his award-winning choir The Stairwell Carollers will be celebrating the finale of their 40th anniversary season June 2nd at St. Barnabas church, Ottawa.

Choral music fans are in for a treat with a diverse programme of six centuries of music sung in six languages.

The concert will feature Renaissance gems from England, Spain, France and Germany, 19th century pieces like Abendlied by Josef Rheinberger, and modern masterpieces by Lauridsen, Stroope and Gjeilo.

 2018 Spring concert Programme - Eya Eya

Pierre's award-winning “Eya eya gaudeamus” – the title track for the concert – is on the programme, as well as a brand-new arrangement of a medieval song – “In natali Domini” – by fellow Caroller David Rain.

Choral Cacophony Podcast this week is a Sneak Peek of "I am not Yours" - one of the songs you will hear June 2nd.

Pierre rehearses the end of  "I am not Yours" with the choir - makes some correction with the tenors to highlight the melody.

Throughout their 40 years, the Stairwell Carollers have been singing in a humanitarian key. Net proceeds from concerts and CD sales have allowed the Carollers to present donations to dozens of local charities and music scholarships to local high school students totaling over $140,000.

The Carollers are delighted to announce that this year’s $1000 music scholarship will be presented at their June 2 concert to Rayna Crandlemire, a talented singer, who also plays violin, clarinet and piano. Rayna attended De La Salle High School and will be continuing her music education at the University of Toronto this fall, where she has also been awarded a music scholarship. Congratulations Rayna!

A donation of $2000 will also be presented at the June 2nd concert to the Galilee Centre. The Stairwell Carollers have a soft spot in their hearts for Arnrprior’s Galilee Centre. Their special 40th anniversary Retreat was held there in May, with workshops led by the inspiring Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor - a former member of the renowned male chorus Chanticleer.

Hope to see you there!

Tickets ONLY for the June 2nd concert at St. Barnabas:

$15 in advance:

 The Leading Note, 370 Elgin St.

Compact Music, 190 & 785 1/2 Bank St.

Books on Beechwood, 35 Beechwood Ave, 

OR ONLINE

$20 at the door.

The Carollers will make an official presentation of the donation and scholarship grants at their spring concert “Eya eya gaudeamus” at Saint Barnabas Church (corner of James St & Kent St) on June 2nd, 7:30pm.

David Rain, who sings tenor with the Carollers, has been taking his musical cues from the back of Pierre Massie’s head for 25 years.

About our a cappella choir:

Pierre Massie started The Stairwell Carollers in 1977 while studying music at Ottawa University. We are ranked with the best of Ontario choirs, winning both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. 

A registered Canadian charity, Net proceeds of our concert, CD and cookbook sales are gifted to local charities.

CC Podcast S. 2 #13 - SSShort and SSSweet

Choral Cacophony Podcast goes snaky this week with a physical warmup exercise for diaphragmatic breathing - done in a standing position.

Teeth together, mouth slightly open, deep breath and release the breath in a controlled manner. Allow only the tiniest stream of air to be released in a smooth hisssss.

SSSSSSSSSSSS...

It's a room full of leaky tires.

We revisit an earlier CC Podcast breath control exercise - with a little more direction from Pierre about the importance of the diaphragm in breathing.

About the choir:

Pierre Massie began the a cappella choir 40 years ago, in 1977,  while a music student at Ottawa University. 

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, they also help local charities with concert, CD and cookbook sales. Net proceeds benefit local charity.

CC Podcast S. 2 #12 - Ayy Like Fonzie

In this week's Choral Cacophony Podcast, The Fonz from Happy Daze fame and spaghetti are featured.

The Ahhhh of Spaghetti, The Ayy of the Fonz.

Pierre uses both these vivid examples (and others) to illustrate vowel quality and production. He runs the choir through the vowel sounds with his own brand of colourful descriptions of how the sounds should come out and what shape they should take.

This rehearsal group included a number of auditioners back in August 2016. A few voices stick out and were subsequently not chosen for the choir. Blending voices is a primary requirement to join the Stairwell Carollers.

Enjoy the practice!
The Fonz on Youtube
Chapter 1 - Pierre guides the choir in the quality of the vowels Ah, O, Eh, Oo. He uses humorous examples to illustrate an open sound.

Chapter 2 - Arpeggios on vowels - the sound brighter as you descend. Relaxed diaphragm.
About Us:

Pierre Massie began The Stairwell Carollers a cappella choir in 1977 while studying in the French music program at the University of Ottawa. They are ranked with the best of Ontario choirs, winning the 2010 and 2013 OMFA competitions. 

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

Happy Easter! Choral Cacophony Podcast to go to Biweekly Format

To keep quality up, while keeping many PR tasks in the air at once, I have decided to go to a Biweekly release for our Choral Cacophony Podcast.

Stay tuned for a new Podcast next Monday :)

About Us:

Pierre Massie began The Stairwell Carollers a cappella choir in 1977 while studying in the French music program at the University of Ottawa. They are ranked with the best of Ontario choirs, winning the 2010 and 2013 OMFA competitions. 

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

CC Podcast S. 2 #11 - Spring Concerts Sneak Preview - Abendlied

If you've been following our Choral Cacophony Podcasts (and why not???) you may be motivated to hear us LIVE IN CONCERT! 

40th Anniversary Concert Schedule for Spring 2018

"United in Song"

Saturday, May 5th 8:00pm

St. John Chrysostom Church, 295 Albert St, Arnprior

with guest choirs from Glebe Collegiate 

and guest soloist Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor 

from the world renowned a cappella group Chanticleer.

For Saturday, May 5th ONLY advance tickets $15 

• ONLINE from CANADA HELPS
• Purchase tickets at Glebe Collegiate Music Dpt, 212 Glebe Ave
• Purchase tickets from choir members
• Other locations in Arnprior forthcoming...
• Tickets at the door are $20.

Saturday June 2nd 7:30pm  

Church of St. Barnabas, 70 James Street, Ottawa

For Saturday June 2nd ONLY advance tickets $15 

• ONLINE from CANADA HELPS
• Leading Note, 370 Elgin St., Suite No. 2
• Compact Music, 206 & 785 1/2 Bank Street locations
• Books on Beechwood, 35 Beechwood Ave.
• Tickets at the door are $20.

OTHER CONCERT LISTINGS

Sunday, May 27th, 2:30pm

St. Martin's Anglican Church

2120 Prince Charles Road, Ottawa, ON

Please contact St. Martin's for ticket purchase info.

Here we are  at a recent rehearsal preparing Abendlied by Joseph Rheinberger for the upcoming concerts.
Enjoy!

Chapter 1 - Choir rehearses Abendleid, a gorgeous choral German piece.
Chapter 2 -  Pierre does some fine-tuning. You can actually hear him directing :)
Chapter 3 -  Christoph (bass) coaches the choir in pronunciation of a particular vowel. Improvement!

The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie began our a cappella choir in 1977 while a music student 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 help other local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales. Net proceeds from sales benefit charity.

 DONATE to support our 40th year celebration workshops! 

CC Podcast S. 2 #10 - Spring Forward with Octave Jumps

Look down before you leap.

Whaaaat?

This week's Choral Cacophony Podcast features a warmup you can do to help with Octave jumps AND relaxed open tones.

The secret??

Looking down. Yes.

Literally. Looking down.


Looking UP to reach a high note - straining for a note - can close off your air flow and tense up your muscles unnecessarily.

So, look down when you reach up for that note.

Try it, it works.

Chapter 1 - Warmup begins with vowels on single notes then arpeggios. Pierre encourages bright clear notes.
Chapter 2 - Drop down an octave and continue arpeggios going down.
Chapter 3 - Octave jumps. Pierre discusses clean notes with no "stretching' for the notes. Looking at the floor helps to relax and let the sound be open. Positioning is important.

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie began our a cappella choir 40 years ago, in 1977,  while he was a music student at Ottawa U. 

The Stairwell Carollers are now 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.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year workshops! 

CC Podcast S. 2 #9 - - Movable Do - Dissonance!

How high can you go? And can you hold that note?

Does dissonance pull you away from your part? Stay with your section and stay in tune!

Those are the two skills practiced in this week's Choral Cacophony Podcast. As an alto I know all about having to hold one note... for...ever. I've called us the Polyfilla of the choir since we always seem to fill the cracks missed by the other harmonies.

In Modern and Contemporary music the dissonances in the musical design can be challenging - to say the least.

Sing hard..  I mean - work well, um, you know what I mean.

Chapter 1 - Warmup begins with arpeggios on vowels. Staccato.
Chapter 2 - Moving up the scales.
Chapter 3 - Top note on Ah and HOLD.
Chapter 4 - Down the Major scale following Movable Do hand signs. Find your part and stay in tune!
Chapter 5 -  Pierre explains the concept behind the hand symbols in Movable Do.

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie began our a cappella choir 40 years ago, in 1977,  while he was a music student at Ottawa U. 

The Stairwell Carollers are now 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.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year workshops! 

CC Podcast S. 2 #8 - Play Ball! Bat 1000 in your Spring vocal warmups

We're all on hold waiting and wanting the spring flowers to appear. Our new singing season starts and it's a whole new ballgame - 40th, contemporary, Canadian!

Personally, I can't wait to see the first flowers pop up through the snow.

It's early innings in our rehearsals and there are still songs to learn and skills to hone.

So, for our Choral Cacophony Podcast Season 2 Number 8, here's a fresh warmup that covers all the bases.

Chapter 1 - Warmup begins with vowels and mouth positioning - Pierre leads the vocalization with semitone changes.

Chapter 2 - Arpeggios on vowels until it hurts :P

Chapter 3 - Scales on Do - using movable Do hand signs. Two groups - one for each hand. Alto and Bass - Soprano and Tenor. Challenging harmonies.

The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie began our a cappella choir 40 years ago, in 1977,  while he was a music student at Ottawa U. 

The Stairwell Carollers are now 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.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year workshops! 

CC Podcast S. 2 #7 - One Note Wonder

As a singer, in a chorus especially, we have to shape our vowels correctly (and the way the director prefers!) But, how do we do that?

Like most skill development, it takes practice and guidance. Practice making the sound, shaping the mouth, and - where does that darn pesky tongue go?

Hint - The tongue should lay in the mouth, as if ready for a yawn, touching the back of the teeth.

If you are lucky, you have a master music teacher on a mission leading your chorus.

This weeks Choral Cacophony Podcast presents a vocal warm-up that's also great for ear training.

Chapter 1 - Vowels Ma May Mee Mo Moo on one note. Pierre discusses consistent and straight group sound.
Chapter 2 - Spool of Thread visualization exercise for straight sound. Continue with that in mind.
Chapter 3 - Continue up a semitone and then switch to Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol. Pierre leads the choir in two groups with Movable Do hand signals.

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.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year workshops! 

CC Podcast S. 2 #6 - We Got Rhythm

This weeks Choral Cacophony Podcast episode is an extra long one - about 10 minutes. With two whole body exercises, the Stairwell Carollers work on rhythm.

Pierre created special practice sheets for teaching rhythm to his students and uses a whole body approach to teaching it. For all rhythm exercises he stresses coordination between the mind and the body; a musician always has to keep count of the beats in a bar while singing, playing an instrument, etc.

This is challenging to say the least.

Using Rhythm Sheet 1a - shown below - Pierre leads the choir in alternate forms of clapping and saying the beat/note number position in the bar.

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.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year workshops! 

CC Podcast S. 2 #5a - Working out Laud

In this weeks Choral Cacophony Podcast episode (Second of two parts) the Stairwell Carollers work on a piece called Resonet in laudibus.  It's a latin Sacred composition from the 14th century for SATB choir, transcribed by our director, Pierre Massie.
Chapter 1 - Pierre continues rehearsing the song with the choir, working on timing, singing the soprano and alto parts himself.

Chapter 2 - Some reminders of latin pronunciation and then we practice!

Chapter 3 - Pierre snaps his fingers as signal for timing. Silliness ensues sometimes - it is rehearsal after all! And a final try.

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.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year workshops! 

CC Podcast S. 2 #5 - Our Director sings soprano

In this weeks Choral Cacophony Podcast episode (the first of two parts) we rehearse a piece called Resonet in laudibus.  It's a latin sacred composition from the 14th century, transcribed by our director, Pierre Massie.

Chapter 1 - Pierre rehearses the choir and demonstrates the rhythm by singing the soprano and alto parts himself. Yeah, that's right - only 1 chapter in this episode.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

A registered Canadian charity, we also help local charities with our concerts and CDs !

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 among the best of Ontario choirs, winning both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. 

Visit our website

CC Podcast S. 2 #4a - A Heavenly Pair

Here is the conclusion of a Two Part Choral Cacophony Podcast for lovers of English madrigals from the Renaissance.

Part 2 continues with Fine Knacks for Ladies, by John Dowland. This episode highlights Pierre's sense of humour in rehearsal, a question from Holly, pronunciation of key words and an answer from Maggie.
Fine Knacks For Ladies - John Dowland

Fine knacks for ladies, cheap, choice, brave and new,
Good pennyworths but money cannot move,
I keep a fair but for the fair to view,
A beggar may be liberal of love.
Though all my wares be trash, the heart is true (repeat). 

Great gifts are guiles and look for gifts again,
My trifles come as treasures from my mind,
It is a precious jewel to be plain,
Sometimes in shell the Orient's pearls we find.
Of others take a sheaf, of me a grain (repeat). 

Within this pack pins, points, laces and gloves,
And divers toys fitting a country fair,
But in my heart, where duty serves and loves,
Turtles and twins, Court's brood, a heav'nly pair.
Happy the man that thinks of no removes (repeat). 

Email us NOW to set up YOUR Audition for Ottawa's a cappella choir, The Stairwell Carollers. LAST CHANCE THIS WEDNESDAY!

Whether you audition to sing with the group or show up to help as a volunteer, you will enjoy every minute with this great group of people. We rehearse and perform in the Ottawa/Outaouais region.

To set up your audition 
for this Wednesday, Jan 31, 2018 
email info(at)stairwellcarollers.com

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events ! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

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 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.

C.C. Podcast Season 2 #4 - Fine Knacks indeed!

If you love Renaissance madrigals, we have a Two Part CC Podcast for you. 

Starting this week with Part 1, Fine Knacks for Ladies, by John Dowland - an English madrigal from the Renaissance - will be dissected and refined. This week, specific pronunciation (to overcome singer's individual accents)  is reinforced through our favourite method - practise, practise, practise.

Our director decided long ago to be true to each song's roots. That's why we work with experts on language pronunciation for all our songs - even down to regional differences in dialects.

Of course any group can work to overcome their own regional sound if they emulate a British Boy's choir sound, an authentic Spanish cadence or French language finesse.

Email us NOW to set up YOUR Audition for Ottawa's a cappella choir, The Stairwell Carollers.

Whether you audition to sing with the group or show up to help as a volunteer, you will enjoy every minute with this great group of people. We rehearse and perform in the Ottawa/Outaouais region.

To set up your audition for the end of January 2018,
 email info(at)stairwellcarollers.com

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events ! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

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 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.

Choral Cacophony Podcast Season 2 #3 - Contre Qui Rose

If you live in the Ottawa region and love our choir -- and would love to sing in our choir - email us to set up your audition NOW. This podcast episode shows a typical rehearsal and illustrates how deftly Pierre our director leads us to perform such a subtle and wondrous piece as Contre Qui Rose.

Chapter 1 - Rehearsing a gorgeous French piece, Contre Qui Rose.
Chapter 2 - Pierre discusses the consideration of the fine beauty of this song. He gives notes to each section by singing each beginning.
Chapter 3 - The French "e" sound is sometimes a difficult vowel for non french speakers. Pierre and Josée discuss some details. The choir continues.
Chapter 4 - One last run through to fine tune an "s" sound.

  To set up your audition time in the last week of January 2018,

 email info(at)stairwellcarollers.com

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events ! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

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 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.

Choral Cacophony Podcast Season 2 #2 - By Heart

This weeks Choral Cacophony Podcast is a wee lecture from our director Pierre on "getting away from the book".

Besides the fact that The Stairwell Carollers are known for connecting with the audience in a way that many choirs don't - we sing to the audience, rather than at them, knowing your music by heart is a great strategy to improve performance and musicality in general.

Here is the first page of the sheet music for El Grillo - a fun  15th century Italian madrigal which celebrates the cricket. This song was Pierre's jumping off point for the discussion.

Chapter 1 - The Stairwell Carollers practice El Grillo - an Italian Renaissance Madrigal all about a frog.
Chapter 2 - Pierre encourages the choir to work on memorizing the music - Why? He explains...
Chapter 3 - Another try -- much better just with the encouragement to look up from the book!  Pierre suggests you compare the two performances.

Speaking personally, I memorize my parts as best I can. My performance is always better when I am most familiar with the music.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events ! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

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 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.

New Ear Challenge! Movable Do Choral Cacophony Podcast Season 2, episode #1

On your way to visit the Peace Tower? Check this out first!

Can you hear your part?

Pierre warms up the choir with a simple arpeggios then starts some Movable Do work.

Your task is to figure out what your part is. Along the way there are some hints!
Use this to warm up your voice and test your listening skills.

Then, guest conductor Mark Sirett takes over with a direction to bring less sound neutrality with changes in lip position.

He also discusses the tendency to slide from Re to Do and the significance of the movable Do hand signs.

Book Mark Sirett to workshop your choir!

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events ! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

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 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.