Press Release - OTTAWA’S STAIRWELL CAROLLERS SEEK TENORS, BASSES AND SOPRANOS

OTTAWA’S STAIRWELL CAROLLERS SEEK TENORS, SOPRANOS AND BASSES 

One of Ottawa’s most beloved choirs, The Stairwell Carollers, is expanding its tenor and bass sections by welcoming new members. 

Now in its 45th year, this fully vaccinated choir has resumed in-person rehearsals in Manor Park since spring 2022. Using the church pews with assigned seating ensures the choir is able to follow provincial COVID guidelines as well as provide added safety for members. 

Last fall, the Carollers staged a virtual Christmas concert. 

We are hoping the Christmas concerts for 2022 can be in-person.

Pierre Massie, creator and director of The Stairwell Carollers (who also sings in the tenor section) chose a variety of choral favourites as the repertoire for the choir’s past Spring season concert June 4th, 2022. 

Read Maggie's joyful response to her concert experience.

The Carollers also arranged a series of in-person Masterclass workshops for the choir in the last week of April 2022 with choral expert Gabriel Lewis O'Conner (formerly of Chanticleer) - a great time was had by all! Workshop post to come :)

 Since its most recent in-person concert in December 2019, The Stairwell Carollers have performed only as a virtual choir with Premiere videos on YouTube.  Each choir member submitted their video and Massie edited together the virtual concert. “Singing alone at home is nothing like performing for a live audience,” says Massie. “Now that we’re back to in-person rehearsals, it’s been gratifying to hear our voices come together in harmony again and enjoy the camaraderie and social interaction unique to a small choral ensemble.” 

However, the choir needs more tenors, sopranos and basses and is now on an active search for new voices.

 “I want to continue pushing our musical repertoire with more challenging pieces and that demands a balance of voices for the multiple parts and complex harmonies,” says Massie. The Carollers are reaching out to tenors and basses looking for a safe, fully vaccinated choral ensemble to sing with. 

A solid voice, a good ear, a great attitude, and proof of vaccination are all candidates need to qualify. Reading music is an asset but not a necessity. Auditions for tenors, sopranos and basses continue until end of August 2022 or until positions are filled. 

Auditions are held via Zoom, Skype or FaceTime with a possibility of some in person auditions end of August 2022. During the audition, the candidate must have access to software to read PDFs and play mp3 audio files. 

Contact Holly at info@stairwellcarollers.com to set up your audition time

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie created the a cappella choir, The Stairwell Carollers, in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, they are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs. 

A registered Canadian charity, The Stairwell Carollers help local charities with net proceeds from concert tickets, CD and cookbook sales.  Since 1997 they have donated over $143,800 to local charities and scholarships.

Sponsor a Song for Shepherds of Good Hope!

 Do you love choral music and are looking forward to this year's Stairwell Caroller concerts?

To celebrate our 40th anniversary, and as part of the Canada 150 celebrations, The Stairwell Carollers’ director Pierre Massie, has crafted a unique, all-Canadian program of Christmas carols this season.

With your small donation of only $200, Sponsor a Stairwell Carollers Song and all funds raised will go to the Shepherds of Good Hope!

Your name will appear in the souvenir concert program as Song Sponsor.

Why should I do this?

The Christmas carol list is below. Choose a song that has special meaning for you or someone dear to you.

Your name (or your loved one’s name) will be acknowledged as song sponsor in the choir’s printed program, distributed to the hundreds of people who will attend our five Xmas 2017 concerts.

Where will my donation go?

All donations to the “Sponsor a Song” campaign will be given to the Shepherds of Good Hope, at The Stairwell Carollers 40th anniversary “gala” concert on December 15 at Knox Presbyterian Church.

Shepherds of Good Hope is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the needs of the homeless and vulnerably-housed in the city of Ottawa. Founded in 1983 as a soup kitchen and emergency shelter, today Shepherds of Good Hope operates eight facilities across the city, including a soup kitchen, transitional shelter, five supportive housing locations and a social enterprise day-program. Shepherds of Good Hope provides innovative programming and services to meet the needs of Ottawa's most vulnerable adult men and women.

Which songs can I sponsor?

Three brand new carols:

“A baby is born/L’Enfant est né” – a bilingual, Canada 150 carol by Pierre Massie.

“Es ist ein Ros entsprungen” – a new arrangement of this German carol by choir tenor, David Rain.

“Carol of the Bells” – a brand new arrangement of this popular carol by Pierre Massie.

Songs by noted Canadian composers:

“Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes” – by Kingston’s Mark Sirett.

“En el Portal el Belen” – Puerto Rican Carol by Vancouver’s Ed Henderson.

“D’où viens-tu bergère?” – by Québec composer André Bellefeuille.

“Tout le ciel reluit” – by Ontario’s William McCauley (1917-1999).

“Mon beau sapin” – by Québec composer Maurice Dela (1919-1978).

“The Bird Carol” – by noted Ontario music educator G. Roy Fenwick (1889-1970).

“Bell Carol” – by Alfred E. Whitehead (1887-1974) from Nova Scotia/ Québec.

“Lo, He Comes” – by Manitoba composer Rev. John Black (1818-1882).

Songs with a Stairwell Caroller connection:

“The Gower Wassail” – by Robert Frederick Jones (1947-2012), father of choir tenor Andrew Jones.
“A Christmas Lullaby” – by Martin Fairbank, former choir tenor.
“Rideau Carol” – by choir tenor David Rain.
“Mourning Dove” –  by Pierre Massie - title track to the Stairwell Caroller’s 3rd CD.

“Eya, eya gaudeamus” - by Pierre Massie - First place, Amadeus Choir Carol Competition, 2007.

Favourite carols arranged by Pierre Massie :

“Joy to the World”
“Do you hear what I hear”
“We Three Kings of Orient”
“Stille Nacht/Silent Night”
“Nouvelle agréable”
“Dans le silence de la nuit”
“Un flambeau Jeannette, Isabelle”
“Ca, bergers assemblons nous”
“What child is this” – (Greensleeves version)
“Iesous Ahatonnia” – with original Wyandot text.

To sponsor a song with your minimum $200 donation, be sure to mention which song when you fill out the donation form HERE.

Thank you for showing your appreciation of great a cappella singing, and for supporting the important work of the Shepherds of Good Hope!

The Carollers sing in a humanitarian key, and have donated over $130,000 to local charities and high school students in the national capital region going on to study music at Canadian universities.

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

Ottawa Businesses -- New Deadline -- NOV. 9th to Book your ad for 2012 --

 Stairwell Carollers 2012 Concert season playbill cover (front and back)

Don't miss this excellent sponsorship opportunity for corporations and small business owners.

                             

                       It's that time again  for  companies to reserve their ads in the Stairwell Carollers concert playbill.  Any company or organization, anyone wanting to promote an event or celebration, is more than welcome to buy space in the concert booklet. 

Book your ad for 2012 NOW.  
 Deadline EXTENDED TO November 9th.
 

WHY ADVERTISE IN OUR PLAYBILL? This one playbill serves seven concerts covering the  Ottawa and Gatineau region!

#Ottawa Businesses -- New Deadline -- NOV. 9th to Book your ad for 2012 -- nblo.gs/DNTrq #sponsorship #philanthropy #Christmas
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) October 22, 2012

We perform in a variety of locations throughout Ottawa and we use the same playbill for all our concerts, so any business that does put in an ad will have it viewed by attendees at every performance location.
 
Our 2012 Christmas season Playbill cover is printed on glossy stock in colour. The interior is printed in black and white on standard stock. 
 
The size is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (folded 8 1/2"x 11"). 
 
Ads are mixed through the playbill with the concert info to encourage a good view of our sponsors ads.
 

Ad Prices

Business Card ad = $100

Half-page ad = $150

Full-page ad = $250
Example Page

Past years advertisers

Campbell Douglas Keyboards - 1547 Merivale Road

Clocktower Pub, 575 Bank Street

CD warehouse

Books on Beechwood

Christopher Wheeler Heating & Cooling

Great Books Great Gifts Ottawa U Book Store

Lester's Barber Shop - 13 Beechwood

Fraser Café - 7 Springfields at Beechwood

New Edinburgh Pub

Hampton Wellness Centre - 1419 Carling
Ottawa Regional Youth Choir
Farris-manning photography 
Le Saint-Ô
Campbell Douglas
 

Charitable Contribution 

If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution to the choir in someone's memory, or have a Christmas message placed, you can either supply your own artwork which we will scan or we can do it for you. Please describe the look you would like (font, type of clip art) as best you can, with the proper wording for your message, and Holly will design it accordingly.

Email info@stairwellcarollers.com NOW to book your ad !

Ad for our new CD Cantate Domino

Pre-order our new CD, CANTATE DOMINO - a selection of Renaissance Sacred choral pieces.
Cantate Domino is dedicated to the memory of Paul Churchill, Tenor, whose voice and heart will be forever remembered.

Cantate Domino will be pressed in October -- 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, or at our live concerts.

TOP 10 reasons to AUDITION for the Stairwell Carollers

Warming up before caroling in the Byward Market

Why Join The Stairwell Carollers?

1.      The tight-knit, intimate style and purity of sound produced by this a cappella chamber choir, first-place winners in the 2010 Ontario Music Festivals Association provincial competition.

2.      The unique experience of singing under the direction of an award-winning composer and arranger, Pierre Massie, who magically leads the choir from within the tenor section.

3.      The chance to sing in a wide variety of languages: English, French, Latin, German, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Polish and Welsh, to name just a few.

4.      The diversity of musical styles: from Renaissance and Baroque to modern arrangements.

5.      The joy of sharing enchanting music with audiences in diverse settings: from acoustically rich churches throughout the Ottawa Valley, to prestigious venues such as the Rideau Chapel in the National Gallery of Canada.

6.      The unique chance to present world-premiere performances of original choral compositions written, by choir director Pierre Massie, especially for the Stairwell Carollers.

7.      The opportunity to record CDs of the highest professional standards (6 so far).

8.      The ability to give back to the community in several ways. The choir is a registered charity and has donated over $150,000 to local charities from concert fees and CD and ticket sales.

9.      The opportunity to reach out to young musicians.  The Carollers sponsor an annual music scholarship competition for area students who intend to pursue a music degree at university.

10.   Last, but certainly not least, the great pleasure of working closely, in French and English, with singers of diverse musical and cultural backgrounds from urban and rural centres throughout eastern Ontario and western Quebec.

If these reasons appeal to you, get in touch with us for an audition.  All you need are a solid voice, a good ear and a great attitude.  Reading music is an asset but not a necessity. 

 Arrange a time by sending Holly an email to info AT stairwellcarollers DOT com.

Auditions will be held consecutive Wednesdays in late August. Email us for a specific date and time.

The Stairwell Carollers currently rehearse on Wednesday evenings at a local church in the Manor Park area.  For more information, visit www.stairwellcarollers.com.

Tweet this post!

TOP 10 reasons to #AUDITION for the Stairwell Carollers nblo.gs/AhWqs #choir #Ottawa #choral #acappella
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) July 26, 2012

FINAL CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT THIS SATURDAY -- DON'T MISS US!

The Stairwell Carollers last Xmas concert of the 2011 season is this Saturday at St Columba Anglican Church, 24 Sandridge Rd, Ottawa.
 

Ottawa choir sings a charitable tune this Christmas

Women’s shelter to receive $2,000 gift

Each Christmas, you can hear them in churches throughout the Nation’s Capital, crafting their special a cappella gems for appreciative audiences on both sides of the Ottawa River.

They’re called the Stairwell Carollers and they’ve received both provincial and national recognition for their singing excellence – but the gifts these singers bring are not all packaged in purely musical wrapping paper.

Under the leadership of their award-winning director, Pierre Massie, this 28-member choir has transformed income from concert tickets and CD sales into $50,000 of donations to 20 local charities and 11 high school students going on for further studies in music.

This December, the Carollers are very pleased to announce that Harmony House – Ottawa’s only second-stage women’s shelter – has been selected as the 2011 recipient of our special $2,000 Christmas gift.

The choir recognizes the great service that Harmony House provides – offering safe, affordable transitional housing for women and children who are survivors of violence.

“We are so thankful for the support of the Stairwell Carollers”, says Harmony House Director Leighann Burns. “Their generosity will help us continue to assist women and children find freedom from violence.”

The Stairwell Carollers will make an official presentation of the gift to Harmony House as part of their annual Christmas Fundraising Concert, “Stille Nacht”, December 17, at St Columba Anglican Church, 24 Sandridge Rd (N end of St Laurent Blvd) at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $15: available at The Leading Note, 370 Elgin St, two Compact Music locations, 785½ Bank St and 190 Bank St, Books on Beechwood, 35 Beechwood Ave, and at the door.

To learn more about Harmony House, visit http://www.harmonyhousews.com/index.html.

 David Rain, Tenor

- 30 -

 PS

St. Columba has beautiful acoustics and, to date, we have recorded all our CDs there rather than in a sterile studio. The wooden interior provides a resonance ideal for live concerts and for recording.

We expect a full turn-out, and there is no reserve seating, so make sure you arrive early.

Doors open at 6:45pm and the concert will start at 7:30.

Hope to see you there!

Seeking Singers for their 7th CD Stairwell Carollers, Audition Notice

July 24th, 2011

For Immediate Release

(Ottawa) – Do you get a rush up your spine when singing a cappella, without any instruments accompanying you? Does the thought of donating to charities, or giving scholarships to young musicians bring inspiration to your spirit? Are you perhaps a singer with a pure sound who has hesitated auditioning for choirs because you’re not the greatest at sight-singing?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Stairwell Carollers WANT YOU!

We are an award-winning 25-member choir from the Ottawa-Gatineau region whose mission is to create the highest level of pure, a cappella singing, while giving back to the community through our charitable works.

In 2010, we placed 1st in the Ontario Music Festivals Association choral competition and second in the national finals! We are a registered charity ourselves, have donated over $43,000 to twenty local charities and provided just under $10,000 in scholarships to eleven talented students going on for music studies at Canadian universities.

During our 2011-12 season, we’ll be recording our 7^th professionally-produced CD, and we’re looking for sopranos and basses to join us in this exciting project.

To arrange an audition, send an email to info@stairwellcarollers.com or phone (613) 746-2779. If you sing alto or tenor, please contact us too, as we may have auditions later in the year. 

We rehearse at St. Columba Anglican Church, 24 Sandridge Rd. (Manor Park). For more information, or to hear excerpts from our 6 previous CDs, visit www.stairwellcarollers.com.

- 30 -

By David Rain, Tenor

Stairwell Caroller AUDITIONS -- Basses and Sopranos please email us NOW to book ahead!

The Stairwell Carollers in 2004 -- remembering old friends

As happens occasionally, one or two of our staunch Stairwellers may have to say goodbye and pursue their musical fortunes elsewhere.

We plan to record our first Sacred music CD, "Cantate Domino" in the spring of 2012, and to do that with the same level of quality and balance we must have the correct compliment of voices in each section.

For this reason, we will be holding auditions  on Wednesday. August 24 from 5:30pm till 8pm, as well as before our AGM on Wednesday. August 31 from 5pm till 6:30pm. We are looking primarily for Basses and Sopranos, but keep tuned to the Blog to see if the need for your special voice (be it suited to the Alto or Tenor section) arises.

Please email Andrea at info@stairwellcarollers.com  to book your audition.

Holly:)

Two Ottawa area students win prestigious music prize

For the love of music: -- The Stairwell Caroller Scholarship

Pierre leading the warm-up -- this is "Mi"

For Immediate Release

(Ottawa) – What do a University of Ottawa singer, a Concordia guitarist and a McGill tuba player all have in common?

They are all past winners of the Stairwell Carollers’ Scholarship, given annually to students pursuing music studies at a Canadian university who demonstrate a very special love of music.

“This year’s winners – flutist Dahlia Al-Khafajy and clarinettist Nicolas Galuban – were so talented, we had to give each of them the same $1,000 scholarship!” smiles Pierre Massie, the choir’s director since its founding in the stairwells of the University of Ottawa in 1977.  

“Previously we’ve had winners from centrally located high schools such as Canterbury, De La Salle, and Ashbury College,” he notes. “This year, we’ve ringed both sides of the city, as Dahlia attends Béatrice-Desloges Secondary School in Orléans, while Nicolas is from Earl of March in Kanata.”

These two young musicians will receive their awards on June 18, at the Stairwell Carollers’ gala spring concert at St. Barnabas Church, 70 James St. (at Kent).

This concert, titled O Vos Omnes (“O all ye who pass by, pay attention and see”), is in honour of the hauntingly beautiful Renaissance motet by Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria, whose death 400 years ago is commemorated this year. The audience will also have the pleasure of hearing the Carollers’ a cappella renditions of Italian and Elizabethan madrigals, French chansons and a Latin Mass by German composer Hans Leo Hassler.

The Stairwell Carollers, recognized provincially and nationally for their singing excellence, are very proud of their philanthropic initiatives. They raise funds through concert ticket sales, their cookbook, and profits from their 6 CDs. In addition to the $9,500 granted in music scholarships to date, the choir has contributed over $43,000 to a wide variety of local charities. This includes an upcoming $2,000 gift to the VON in Ottawa, to be donated at the June 18 concert.

Amore Musica!

NB: The June 18 concert starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are available in advance from The Leading Note (370 Elgin St.), and at the door, for $15 (admission is free for children 12 and under). A reception will follow.

 David Rain, Tenor

PRESS RELEASE - 10th annual Stairwell Caroller Scholarship

Award-winning choir gives back to the community

The Stairwell Carollers at the National Gallery Christmas season 2009

Talented student to receive prestigious music scholarship 

May 9, 2011

For Immediate Release

(Ottawa) – What do a University of Ottawa singer, a Concordia guitarist and a McGill tuba player all have in common?

Selina McDonell (2004), Geoff McNeely (2008) and Gabrielle Porter (2010) are all past winners of the Stairwell Carollers’ Scholarship, given annually to a talented Ottawa-Gatineau high school student going on for music studies at a Canadian university.

To date, the choir has awarded the Stairwell Carollers Scholarship to nine gifted grads, each of whom has demonstrated a very special love of music. They represent a wide range of local high schools, including Nepean, John McCrae, Canterbury, De La Salle, and Ashbury College.

Recital -- Soprano Marie‑Claire Fafard‑Blais -- May 1st, 2011

Soprano Marie‑Claire Fafard‑Blais presents "Love, Seduction and Vanity" at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church -- May 1st, 2011, at 2 p.m.

PRESS RELEASE
Gatineau, April 25, 2011 – Love, Seduction and Vanity.... Three main opera themes that Marie‑Claire Fafard‑Blais will be presenting in a recital taking place Sunday, May 1st, at 2 p.m., at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. Marie‑Claire will be accompanied by Frédéric Lacroix, one of Ottawa’s best pianists, and joined also by tenor James O'Farrell and bass Brian Wehrle. A recital made up of some of the most beautiful opera arias from Gounod, Massenet, Donizetti and Mozart, rendered with the freshness of Marie-Claire’s young, clear, and agile soprano voice!

PRESS RELEASE -- The Stairwell Carollers: Auditions for 2011

A cappella singing at its finest

January 3, 2011

For Immediate Release

(Ottawa) – The Stairwell Carollers are inviting tenors and basses to audition.  Here are the top 10 reasons singers have eagerly sought to be in this bilingual choir, entering its 34th year.

Why Join The Stairwell Carollers?

1.      The tight-knit, intimate style and purity of sound produced by this a cappella chamber choir, first-place winners in the 2010 Ontario Music Festivals Association provincial competition.

2.      The unique experience of singing under the direction of an award-winning composer and arranger, Pierre Massie, who magically leads the choir from within the tenor section.

3.      The chance to sing in a wide variety of languages: English, French, Latin, German, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Polish and Welsh, to name just a few.

4.      The diversity of musical styles: from Renaissance and Baroque to modern arrangements.

5.      The joy of sharing enchanting music with audiences in diverse settings: from acoustically rich churches throughout the Ottawa Valley, to prestigious venues such as the Rideau Chapel in the National Gallery of Canada.

6.      The unique chance to present world-premiere performances of original choral compositions written, by choir director Pierre Massie, especially for the Stairwell Carollers.

7.      The opportunity to record CDs of the highest professional standards (6 so far).

8.      The ability to give back to the community in several ways. The choir is a registered charity and has donated over $40,000 to local charities from concert fees and CD and ticket sales.

9.      The opportunity to reach out to young musicians.  The Carollers sponsor an annual music scholarship competition for area students who intend to pursue a music degree at university.

10.   Last, but certainly not least, the great pleasure of working closely, in French and English, with singers of diverse musical and cultural backgrounds from urban and rural centres throughout eastern Ontario and western Quebec.

If these reasons appeal to you, get in touch with us for an audition.  All you need are a solid voice, a good ear and a great attitude.  Reading music is an asset but not a necessity.  Arrange a time by sending an email message to info@stairwellcarollers.com or phoning 613-746-2779.

The Stairwell Carollers rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 9:00 at St. Columba Anglican Church, 24 Sandridge Rd. (Manor Park).  For more information, visit www.stairwellcarollers.com.

- 30 -

Award-winning Choir raises $40,000 for local charities

November 1, 2010

For Immediate Release

(Ottawa) – It was once one of Ottawa’s best-kept secrets, but no longer. This has been a “break-out” year for the Stairwell Carollers, a 25-voice gem of a choir that performs without instrumental accompaniment (“a cappella”) year-round.

As the choir prepares for a 34^th season of bringing Yuletide joy to music lovers in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, it is proud to announce two major achievements.

This past spring, the Stairwell Carollers received both provincial and national recognition for artistic excellence, placing first in the Ontario Music Festivals Association choral competition and second in the national finals.

The Carollers are also proud of their humanitarian and philanthropic mission. Since 1997, they have raised $41,350 for dozens of charities through ticket sales and profits from their six CDs. 

At the season finale, on December 18, the choir will be making a donation to the Harvest House Ministries. The Carollers also sponsor an annual scholarship for students planning to pursue a music degree at a Canadian university.

The choir was founded and is directed by award-winning composer Pierre Massie, who is Head of Fine Arts at Glebe Collegiate High School. This season’s concerts feature three of Pierre’s original compositions and seven of his arrangements, including the beautiful “Iesous Ahatonnia” (the Huron Carol), which is the title of this year’s program.

2010 Christmas Concert Season

Fri, Dec 3:       Zion-Memorial United Church, 37 Franklin St., Carleton Place

Sat, Dec 4:      Woodroffe United Church, 207 Woodroffe Ave., Ottawa

Wed, Dec 8:    St. Columba Anglican Church, 24 Sandridge Rd., Ottawa  (Manor Park)

Fri, Dec 10:     St. Paul’s Eastern United Church, 473 Cumberland St., Ottawa  (Sandy Hill)

Sat, Dec 18:    Eglise Marie-Médiatrice/Saint frère André, 344 Cyr Ave., Ottawa (Vanier)

All concerts begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the Dec. 18 season finale are available in advance from The Leading Note (370 Elgin St), as well as at the door, for $15 (admission is free for children 12 and under).  A reception will follow.

For further information about the Stairwell Carollers, please visit www.stairwellcarollers.com.

David Rain, Tenor

The Stairwell Caroller 2010 - 2011 brochure

Our 2010 - 2011 brochure -- Info and concerts