Last Spring 2018 Concert this Saturday for the Stairwell! Youtube video

Your last chance to catch us in CONCERT for 2018

Eya, eya gaudeamus 

This Saturday - June 2nd, 7:30 pm 

Stairwell Carollers at St. Barnabas, Ottawa

TICKETS 

$15 in Advance

 Online HERE 

and at these retailers:

• Leading Note, 370 Elgin St., Suite No. 2
• Compact Music, 206 & 785 1/2 Bank Street locations OR
• Books on Beechwood, 35 Beechwood Ave.

$20 at the door 

TEASER PLAYLIST 

The Concert Programme

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.

"United in Song" -SATURDAY - with Guest Soloist Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor :)

Here is a sneak peak of the evening song lineup...

PROGRAMME "UNITED IN SONG"

The Stairwell Carollers perform
My Bonny Lass     Thomas Morley (1557 - 1602)
Eya, eya gaudeamus                                                                             Pierre Massie
El grillo                                                              Josquin des Prez (c. 1450 - 1521)
Ach, wei des Leiden                                               Hans Leo Hassler (1564 - 1612)
Un jour vis un foulon                                              Roland de Lassus (1530 - 1594)

Glebe Choirs perform
When It Was Yet Dark                                                              Arr: Stephen Hatfield
Non Nobis Domine                                Rosephanye Powell, arr: William C. Powell
Indodana                                                         Arr: Michael Barrett and Ralf Schmitt
Wade In The Water                                                                             Arr: Rob Dietz
Daemon                                                                      Gyorgy Orban

Stairwell Carollers and Glebe choirs perform
La la la, je ne l'ose                                                         Pierre Certon (1510 - 1572)
I Am Not Yours                                                                             Z. Randall Stroope
Abendlied                                                                      Josef Gabriel Rheinberger
Hostias & O Domine                                          Gabriel Fauré adapted by P. Massie
               Hostias Soloist: Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor

"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.

Advance tickets, $15 available at...

• Glebe Collegiate Music Dpt, 212 Glebe Ave
• From choir members
• Jim's Restaurant 54 Elgin St W, Arnprior Phone: 613-623-5089
• St. Chrysostom church office - Telephone: 613-623-2282 Email:parish@saintjohnchrysostom.org

• ONLINE ticket purchases at CANADA HELPS

• Tickets at the door are $20.

Enjoy the concert, but don't forget to visit our CD table for Cookbooks,  CDs and Stairwell Swag tote bags and mugs!

About The Carollers:

Pierre Massie began our a cappella choir, The Stairwell Carollers, back in 1977 while studying in the French music program at U. of O. We are ranked with the best of Ontario choirs, having won 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.

Please DONATE to help make our 40th year workshops happen! 

April is in my Mistress' Face - Thomas Morley - youtube video

Apropos of no more snow, I thought a fun Renaissance madrigal with "April" in the title would finally be fitting.

Yay, I worked in the garden today and it was glorious! (I wrote this on Monday - set to publish this Thursday. Forgive me if Climate Change makes a fool out of me.) Image from the Weather Network.

"April is in My Mistress’ Face" is by Thomas Morley - an English composer, theorist, singer and organist of the Renaissance.  Enjoy!!

Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, May 31st, 2014.

Videographers: Gert-Jan van Heuzen, Kevin Millington.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events ! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

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 help local charities.

Choral Cacophony #9 - It's all Latin to me...

Working on our most popular piece of Sacred music, Missa Brevis, by Antonio Lotti, Pierre gets into the Nitty Gritty of a Latin Ditty.

Choral Cacophony podcast #9  focuses on a few vocal peccadilloes from sections of this lovely Mass.

Chapter 1 - Pierre reminds us of some latin pronunciation - the choir gives it a try.
Chapter 2 - Working on an internal sound for the first vowel in Sanctus - listen for the S sound together.
Chapter 3 - listen for Pierre's voice modelling the proper dynamics and vowel sounds. He sings different parts - even the sopranos!
Chapter 4 - Pierre reminds us often of the proper sound quality by demonstrating. Hosanna section.
Chapter 5 - Pierre corrects the O sound and tells a teacher's anecdote.
Chapter 6 - Improving the sound of Sanctus - a bit of voice theory -  BTW, Pierre is a tenor.

If you've ever wondered about Latin pronunciation for singing - yes, it is different! More on those differences in a later Podcast :)

Below, is our most recent live concert version of Missa Brevis. Enjoy!

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

"Ave Maria" - anonymous - sung by the Stairwell Carollers

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Ave Maria" - 16th century Anonymous.
This version of "Ave Maria" is available on our sacred Renaissance CD, "Cantate Domino”

Why buy our CDs ?

Our professional recordings sound amazing and have excellent reviews. 

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events ! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

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

Visit our website

All our CDs are available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats.  

Net proceeds benefit charity.

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.

La tricotea - Franco Alonso, The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

 The Stairwell Carollers choir sings "La tricotea" by Franco Alonso, a Renaissance composer. Performed and recorded live in concert June 1st 2013 at St. Barnabas church, Ottawa, Canada.

Don't be shocked by the interesting twang to this piece. We are reproducing the nasal sound that is believed to be the popular style of vocalization of this period.

"La tricotea" is available on our Madrigals from the Renaissance CD, "Audite nova”.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

 

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Editing: Pierre Massie

 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. Our professional recordings sound beautiful and have excellent reviews. 

They are all available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats. Net proceeds benefit charity
Visit our website

Ottawa's Stairwell Carollers perform Alleluja" - Henry Purcell - YouTube video

Searching back in The Stairwell Carollers Youtube video vault, I found this wonderful "Alleluja" by Henry Purcell (1659-1695). Purcell was an English composer of the Renaissance. This was my first Alleluja I learned and I now sing it by heart.

This version of "Alleluja" is available on our sacred Renaissance CD, "Cantate Domino”

Why should you buy our CDs ?

Our professional recordings sound amazing and have excellent reviews. 
They are all available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats. 

Net proceeds benefit charity.

 

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

Visit our website

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.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events for everyone! 
All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

Stairwell Carollers sing at 2017 National Gallery Soirée, TOMORROW - 7:00 to 10:00 P.M.

We will be singing at Music and Beyond's National Gallery Soirée, TOMORROW  (Tues. July 11th) from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

As you stroll through the Gallery you will encounter over 100 other musicians and musical groups, paired with each era and style of art form to elevate the aesthetic experience. 

We are thrilled to be involved with Music and Beyond and hope to see you there!

A musical way to help us fundraise is to listen to our  40th Fundraiser Playlists and YouTube will pay us forward!

DONATION UPDATE - $4577 !! 

THERE ARE MANY WAYS YOU CAN HELP US GET TO OUR $15,000 GOAL!

We have our easy on-line Donation page where every donation receives  a charitable tax receipt. Check out the thermometer to track the progress of the donations too!

If you love our music, support us by watching our YouTube Fundraiser Playlists or by making a donation.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events for everyone! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

Stairwell Carollers at Music and Beyond Gallery Soiree July 11 !

 We are thrilled to announce that the Stairwell Carollers will be making an appearance at Music and Beyond's National Gallery Soiree, Tues. July 11th 2017 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

We will be performing throughout the Gallery along with over 100 other musicians, in a unique co-mingling of art and music.

DONATION UPDATE - MANY WAYS TO HELP US MAKE OUR $15,000 GOAL!

We want to celebrate our 40th year of song in the Ottawa/Outaouais region, so please consider helping us.

We have our easy on-line Donation page where every donation receives  a charitable tax receipt. Check out the thermometer to track the progress of the donations too!

An easy way to help us raise funds is to listen to our music on our YouTube channel.
Just listen to our 40th Fundraiser Playlists and let YouTube pay us forward! All the videos on the playlists are monetized, so the choir gets reimbursed from YouTube when you watch and listen!

 Here's our 40th Fundraiser Madrigal Playlist for you to start with.


If you love our music, please consider supporting us, by watching our YouTube Fundraiser Playlists and by making a donation.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events for everyone! 
All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

Why Choral Music ? Why Listen? Why Not?

OK, recently we had a blog post from a member of our group expressing the joy and satisfaction she derives from singing in our choir. Choristers, Directors and choral music lovers love, love, love vocal music - a cappella or accompanied - and need no convincing.

Yes, I said a cappella ( unaccompanied vocal music is choral music -- surprise!)

It made me again wonder why choral music is not more popular. Yeah, I'm talking to YOU.

Me? I just clicked on this link by accident. I thought there would be some MUSIC here.

I can't understand those words --  it's not even a song I know.

True dat, but do you really understand what Rihanna is saying in this song?? The whole internet didn't understand -- and that actually helped it go viral.

And, did you somehow  know it before you heard it?? 

Ri...ght, but you guys aren't  Rihanna - or even Drake.

Nope, but there are super famous vocalists who sing our kind of music -- and you aren't listening to them either. (see Pentatonix above)

All right, fine -- I just don't LIKE that CHURCHY stuff - you always sing in a church, so it must be some kind of gimmick for me to join your religion, right?

Uh, actually, churches make unplugged vocals ring - so the main reason is acoustics. Choral groups sing tons of stuff that isn't religious. And even Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" isn't a religious song. If you still haven't listened to the Pentatonix cover I embedded, scroll up!

Um, I just like songs about sex, drugs and rock and roll.

I give up.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events for everyone! 
All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

Stairwell Caroller concert tonight - St. Barnabas church, Ottawa

Stairwell Carollers BIG Spring Concert RESONET IN LAUDIBUS  is TONIGHT!

Tickets available online $15. $20 at the door

That's right, this evening at 7:30 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 70 James street - downtown Ottawa.

Did you know that our  music spans the Renaissance all the way to famous and original Contemporary pieces? Twenty-two beautiful pieces, in English, Latin, Italian, German, Spanish and French!  a perfect night if you love choral music and a cappella!

Modern pieces: "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre, "Earth Song" by Frank Ticheli, "Contre Qui Rose" by Morten Lauridsen and "One Last Song" by Michael McGlynn.

Popular renaissance madrigals: "Come Again" by John  Dowland, "El Grillo" by Josquin Des Prez and "Il bianco e dolce cigno" by Jaques Arcadelt.

Antonio Lotti's popular Renaissance Mass will be sung too.

More, More, More!

Local acoustic folk trio, Fiddlehead Soup will be performing too! More info on the concert.

Advance tickets are $15 - available online. $20 at the door. Children 12 and under free.

Sign up for our Newsletter!  So much happening in this, our 40th Year!

If you are on Facebook - check out our Event listing there.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events for our community! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

Salve Regina by Francis Poulenc - sung by the Stairwell Carollers - YouTube

I love this piece! It was my first introduction to contemporary choral music and I "get" the dissonance of the modern sound. I like to chalk it up to my general lack of musical knowledge when I learned the alto part so many years ago. I didn't know any  better, no "classical" training -- so I just listened to how the harmonies worked and learned from there. I think my lack of preconception about how this music should sound let me hear when I was doing it right.

Or something like that.

Our CDs are available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats. 

Net proceeds benefit charity.

The Stairwell Carollers chorus from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, sing Salve Regina - by contemporary French composer Francis Poulenc (1899 – 1963).

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 5th, 2015
Videographer: Richard Auger
Editing: Pierre Massie
Photos: Holly Massie

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre formed our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. Since then the Stairwell Carollers have been ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. We are a registered Canadian charity, and raise funds for local charities through our concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Please DONATE to make our 40th year special for everyone!

Suscepit Israel - (J.S. Bach’s Magnificat) sung by the Stairwell Carollers

The Stairwell Carollers perform Suscepit Israel from J.S. Bach’s Magnificat. This arrangement is for the sopranos and altos alone.

Our director, Pierre Massie, normally gives the singers cues while he sings with the choir in the tenor section. This was a natural result of our beginnings as a small caroling group at Ottawa University during the 70's. Pierre always loved singing and in fact got a minor in music as part of his music studies at Ottawa U. He gathered a group of friends together (including me) to sing Christmas carols to fellow students in residence.

In a break from his usual style, he chose to direct this soprano/alto piece in a more traditional manner.  A joy to sing this one, and fun to see our directors face for a change as we perform.

We are an a cappella chorus, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie. The Stairwell Carollers have been ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions.

Our professional recordings of both Sacred and secular music span all eras. Our CDs and MP3s are available through our website. Your purchase is secure with PayPal.

We need your help to make our 40th year events happen. Please DONATE here We can provide a Charitable Tax receipt for all donations over $25.

A non-profit organization, the Stairwell Carollers chorus also raises funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Visit our blog or our website.

Audio: Tom Barnes. 
Recorded live in concert at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 5th, 2015.
Videographer: Richard Auger.
Editing: Pierre Massie
Photos: Holly Massie

Happy Easter from the Stairwell Carollers - an Eastertide Playlist

I want to wish everyone a very happy and blessed Eastertide. I've put together an Easter playlist to enjoy over this beautiful Easter weekend. I was pleased to discover that we have music from all eras to celebrate this special time.

Songs included:

Ave Maria - Franz Biebl 

Salve Regina - Francis Poulenc

Kyrie - Guillaume de Machaut

Alleluia - Palestrina

O vos omnes - Pablo Casals

O Domine - Gabriel Fauré

Jubilate Deo - Orlando di Lasso

Ehre sei dir Christe - Heinrich Schütz

Regina coeli - Gregor Aichinger

Puer natus - arr Pierre Massie

Happy Easter!

About the Stairwell Carollers:

We are an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie. The Stairwell Carollers won First place in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions.

A registered Canadian charity, the Stairwell Carollers helps local charities through concert ticket, CD and cookbook sales.

Visit our  website.

Audio: Tom Barnes.

Recorded at the National Gallery of Canada, St. Barnabas Church and Knox Presbyterian Church, all in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Various dates.

Videographer: Various -- see individual videos.

Editing: Pierre Massie

Photos: Holly Massie

CD SPOTLIGHT -- Cantate Domino - the Stairwell Carollers first Sacred music collection

Cantate Domino, our first Sacred Music collection, was released in 2012 ( seems like yesterday!) and is available in both CD and MP3 formats. Net proceeds to charity.

All songs from the Renaissance, all in Latin, this CD has become a fan favourite!

 We had a blast recording this CD -- Read all about it :)

 LISTEN TO SONG EXCERPTS

If  you live in the Ottawa area, you can purchase our CDs directly from choir members. 

You can also buy them at Ottawa area stores,  
online - also available as Mp3 downloads, 
 or at our live concerts.