STAIRWELL CAROLLERS SPRING 2026 - A CONCERT FOR ALL TIME AND PLACE

SACRED & PROFANE 

June 6, St. Barnabas Church, 70 James Street Ottawa. 7:30 PM. 

 TICKETS

Join us in an evening of choral beauty spanning the ages.

This diverse evening of religious and secular a cappella songs includes contemporary pieces such as award winning “Eya, eya gaudeamus” - composed by our director, Pierre Massie - and an arrangement of “Jerusalem” by Terry Brynaert, bass. 

Frank Ticheli’s heart-wrenching “Earth Song” is a mere 15 years old and cries out for peace in a time of war. Contrast this with Rob Dietz’ 1999 “Hine ma tov”, a joyous refrain in Hebrew encouraging us to ‘behold, how good it is for people to dwell together in unity’. 

Hear Thomas Morley’s “I Love, Alas, I Love Thee” or “Margot labourez les vignes”. Finally, imagine the church imbued with our choir’s offering of Gabriel Faure’s “O Domine”.

We are preparing some extraordinary works to share for this, our 48th Spring Concert. Join us in joy, in celebration and reflection, as we bring to life music for all the times and places of mankind. 

Pierre Massie and his award-winning a cappella choir, The Stairwell Carollers, invite you to an evening of choral masterpieces from the 15th century to the present day.

Our concert this season consists of 23 sacred and secular works from across the ages. As always, we will perform songs in several languages, including Latin, Italian, French, English, Hebrew and Icelandic.

The repertoire includes Missa brevis by Antonio Lotti, our second most popular sacred video on YouTube. We will also sing works by other well-known Renaissance and Victorian greats such as Tallis, Morley, Hassler, Janequin, Arcadelt and many more. The music spans several eras and includes contemporary works by Fauré, Ticheli, Gjeillo, our director Pierre Massie, and an arrangement by our bass, Terry Brynaert.

Bring your friends and enjoy our springtime musical smorgasbord. You won’t be disappointed!

To learn more about the Stairwell Carollers, visit: stairwellcarollers.com.

And to hear the Carollers singing, visit our YouTube channel.

Au joli jeu, a Renaissance Madrigal by Clément Jannequin - YouTube - Auditions August 24th 2022

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform the Spicy madrigal Au joli jeu by Clément Jannequin.

This version of Au joli jeu is on our Audite nova recording.  All our music benefits local charities and our albums are available to buy on our Square store in both CD and MP3 formats.  

Get our professional recordings here  

Visit our website!

Recorded at St. Columba Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 4, 2022. 

Videographers: Michèle Auger, Drew Mason

Editing: Pierre Massie

In Person Auditions Set for August 24th 2022 - we are especially searching for tenor and bass voices. Also soprano. Email Holly info(at)stairwellcarollers.com to set up your audition time.

About The Stairwell Carollers:

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

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

Choral Masterclass - TOP TEN - 2 - Happy Mother's Day - In natali Domini - YouTube video

Katie and Suzannah smile for the camera at choir rehearsal

TOP TEN Reasons to Register!

#2 Suzannah Barrett (soprano):

"He was super animated and I loved the way he explained things!  Sort of like telling stories."

Sign up today: WORKSHOP WITH GABRIEL LEWIS-O'CONNOR - CanadaHelps

Less than 20 spots left - Only $25!

Choral Masterclass poster Deadline May 15th 2019

Gabe, a doctoral student in choral conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City,received his master’s degree from the same institution, studying with Dr. Robert Bode.

More about Gabe HERE.

Prior to graduate school, he sang for four years with Chanticleer.

To participate in The Masterclass you must…

1. Be a current or former member of any Greater Ottawa/Gatineau region choir.
2. Prepare the following three songs -

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

Fa una canzone – Orazio Vecchi – Public domain

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

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

MASTERCLASS INFO
Date: Saturday May 18. 2019
Time: 9 am to noon ( 8:30 am registration)
Cost: $25 

Music scores are included in your registration package

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

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

 Deadline is May 15, 2019

Click here to Register NOW

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

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform  In natali Domini, Traditional melody,  arrangement by David Rain in memory of his Mom. 
Here is the backstory to David Rain's dedication to his Mother.
All our CDs benefit charities and are available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats. 
Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 2nd, 2018. 
Videographers: Matthieu Brennan, Andrew Mason
Editing: Pierre Massie

About The Stairwell Carollers:

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

A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Choral Masterclass - TOP TEN - 3 - "a delightfully devilish sense of humour" - AND bonus YouTube Video- Say Love if Ever Thou Dids’t Find

Tulip festival selfie with Pete - my Hubby and director of the Stairwell Carollers

TOP TEN Reasons to Register!

#3 Holly Massie (alto):

"Gabe is the kind of person that you immediately feel comfortable with the second you meet him. 

He is passionate about choral music and his empathy and compassion shone through every conversation - balanced with a delightfully devilish sense of humour."

Sign up today: WORKSHOP WITH GABRIEL LEWIS-O'CONNOR - CanadaHelps

Less than 20 spots left - Only $25!

Choral Masterclass poster Deadline May 15th 2019 - 3 days left to sign up!

Gabe, a doctoral student in choral conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City,received his master’s degree from the same institution, studying with Dr. Robert Bode.

More about Gabe HERE.

Prior to graduate school, he sang for four years with Chanticleer.
For The Masterclass you must…

1. Be a current or former member of any Greater Ottawa/Gatineau region choir.
2. Prepare the following three songs -

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

Fa una canzone – Orazio Vecchi – Public domain

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

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

Date: Saturday May 18. 2019
Time: 9 am to noon ( 8:30 am registration)
Cost: $25 

Music scores included in registration package

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

If sold out, email us ASAP to be put on the cancellation list.

 Deadline is May 15 - in 3 days!

Click here to Register NOW

Workshop hosted by The Stairwell Carollers chamber choir - furthering choral excellence and development in Ottawa's choral community now for over 41 years. 
Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform  Say Love if Ever Thou Dids’t Find - by John Dowland.

The Renaissance madrigal, Say Love if Ever Thou Dids’t Find, is on our “Audite nova” CD.  All our CDs benefit charities and are available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats.  

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 2nd, 2018. 
Videographers: Matthieu Brennan, Andrew Mason
Editing: Pierre Massie

About The Stairwell Carollers:

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

A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Choral Masterclass - TOP TEN - 4 - "a choral stimulant" - also, "I Love my Love" - YouTube video

Keith toasts the Christmas singing season at Josée's annual Xmas party

TOP TEN Reasons to Register!

#4 Keith Bailey (bass):

"Looking for a choral stimulant? 

As instructor, teacher and coach, Gabe's the encouraging encapsulation of all that's best. 

And a most engaging raconteur, into the bargain!"

Gabriel Lewis O’Connor Choral MASTERCLASS 

Less than 20 spots left - Only $25!

Choral Masterclass poster Deadline May 1st 2019

Gabriel Lewis O’Connor, a doctoral student in choral conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, received his master’s degree from the same institution, studying with Dr. Robert Bode.

More about Gabe HERE.

Prior to graduate school, he sang for four years with Chanticleer.

For the Masterclass you must…

1. Be a current or former member of any Greater Ottawa/Gatineau region choir.
2. Prepare the following three songs -

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

Fa una canzone – Orazio Vecchi – Public domain

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

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

Date: Saturday May 18. 2019
Time: 9 am to noon ( 8:30 am registration)
Cost: $25 scores are included in your registration package

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

If sold out, email us. 

 Deadline May 15, 2019

Click here to Register NOW

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

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform I Love My Love - a traditional English Melody in an arrangement by Gustav Holst.

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

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 2nd, 2018. 
Videographers: Matthieu Brennan, Andrew Mason

Editing: Pierre Massie

About the choir:

Pierre Massie created The Stairwell Carollers in 1977 while a music student at Ottawa U. We are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs, winning both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. 

A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Choral Masterclass - TOP TEN - 6 - "an incredibly intuitive approach" - sign up NOW - YouTube video - Northern Lights

Ludwig - in red hoodie - focuses intently at a choir workshop

TOP TEN Reasons to Register!

#6  Ludwig (bass):

"Gabe has an incredibly intuitive approach to music. He opened up new perspectives on several pieces for us - understanding immediately what we had been trying to achieve through months of practice and, through just a few comments and suggestions, helping us to polish our interpretation to a new and unexpected shine."

Sign up today: WORKSHOP WITH GABRIEL LEWIS-O'CONNOR - CanadaHelps

Gabriel Lewis O’Connor Choral MASTERCLASS 

Less than 40 spots left - Only $25!

Choral Masterclass poster Deadline May 15th  2019

Gabe, a doctoral student in choral conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City,received his master’s degree from the same institution, studying with Dr. Robert Bode.

More about Gabe HERE.

To participate in The Masterclass you must…

1. Be a current or former member of any Greater Ottawa/Gatineau region choir.
2. Prepare the following three songs -

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

Fa una canzone – Orazio Vecchi – Public domain

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

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

Date: Saturday May 18. 2019
Time: 9 am to noon ( 8:30 am registration)
Cost: $25 

Music scores are included in your registration package

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

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

 Deadline May 15, 2019

Register here NOW

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

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform the contemporary gem, Northern Lights, by Ola Gjeilo.
Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 2nd, 2018. 
Videographers: Matthieu Brennan
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

About The Stairwell Carollers:

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

A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Choral Masterclass - TOP TEN - NUMBER 9 - "informative, inspiring and entertaining" ... and a YouTube treat - "I am Not Yours"

Master choral teacher, Gabriel Lewis-O'Conner, leads choirs in an engaging fashion!

TOP TEN Reasons to Register!

Number 9 Tina Reilly (alto):

"Gabe is an extraordinary musician and highly charismatic educator. 

The sessions he led for our last workshop were informative, inspiring and entertaining. 

What more is there?" 

Sign up today -

 WORKSHOP WITH GABRIEL LEWIS-O'CONNOR - CanadaHelps

Only 35 spots left!  Low price of  $25

Gabe, a doctoral student in choral conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City,received his master’s degree from the same institution, studying with Dr. Robert Bode.

More about Gabe HERE.

Prior to graduate school, he sang for four years with Chanticleer.

To participate in The Masterclass you must…

1. Be a current or former member of any Greater Ottawa/Gatineau region choir.
2. Prepare the following three songs -

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

Fa una canzone – Orazio Vecchi – Public domain

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

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

MASTERCLASS INFO
Date: Saturday May 18. 2019
Time: 9 am to noon ( 8:30 am registration)
Cost: $25 

Music scores are included in your registration package

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

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

 Deadline is May 15, 2019

Click here to Register NOW

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

I Am Not Yours - music  by contemporary American choral composer, Z. Randall Stroope. Sung by Ottawa's Stairwell Carollers and guests, Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor and the choirs from Glebe Collegiate.

I Am Not Yours, poem by American poet Sara Teasdale, 1884-1933.

From the Stairwell Carollers 40th anniversary concert, May 5, 2018. (Incorrect date on video).

The 40th anniversary concert ended a weekend workshop event with  Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor (formerly of Chanticleer, professional singer and choral conductor).  Three Glebe Collegiate choirs joined Stairwell in workshops hosted by Gabriel at the Galilee Centre.
Audio: Wayne Hawthorne.  Recorded at St. Chrysostom Church, Arnprior, Ontario, Canada, May 5th, 2018. (Incorrect date on video)
Videographer: Matthieu Brennan
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie started our a cappella choir in 1977 while a music student at Ottawa U. We are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs, winning both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. 

A registered Canadian charity, The Stairwell Carollers help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! One Last Song - Michael McGlynn - Stairwell Carollers, Youtube video

Celtic knot at Malahide castle, Finegal county, Ireland, photo, Holly Massie

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day -- enjoy the men of The Stairwell Carollers, singing "One Last Song" - written by Irish contemporary composer Michael McGlynn.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 3rd, 2017.
Videographers: Richard Auger, Andrew Mason
Editing: Pierre Massie
Michael created the choral ensemble Anúna. He was thrilled with our rendition of his beautiful song and we applaud his creativity. Anúna is an amazing group that showcases his work. Here is an example.

About Us:

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

The Stairwell Carollers scored Gold in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. A registered Canadian charity, we help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales.

All Donations get a charitable receipt.

Summer Hiatus - NEW Youtube Vid - "I am not Yours", Stroope

If you hadn't guessed we are taking a break.

The choir always breaks for the summer -- hence no summer concerts! We are all volunteers - and now, especially as we are getting on a bit - long in the tonsils you might say - we are just pooped after Spring concert season is completed.

And, for the first time, I'M taking a break - from the blog and the podcast. In the past I have continued posting through the summer holiday, but now I don't care so much about my NUMBER of readers.

I care more about not boring the pants off you with needless yadda yadda. I'd rather focus on keeping you informed of the choirs doings and getting up tos - which are fascinating -- to me.

For myself, it's my garden, my family and relaxing with good reads.

No worries, blog posts and podcast epis will resume at the end of summer - earlier if anything interesting develops. We will audition again at the end of August - email me anytime to set up your 15 minutes.

Here's a NEW video to check out while you while away your summer vacay.  New videos are being posted to YouTube sporadically through the summer and I will do posts to alert you of them when that happens.

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "I Am Not Yours", written by Z.Randall Stroope.
I LOVE this one!!!

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 3rd, 2017.
Videographers: Richard Auger, Andrew Mason
Editing: Pierre Massie

About The Stairwell Carollers:

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

The Stairwell Carollers scored Gold in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. 

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

All Donations get a charitable receipt.

"One Last Song" - Michael McGlynn - Stairwell Carollers, Youtube video

The men of The Stairwell Carollers, perform "One Last Song" - written by Irish contemporary composer Michael McGlynn.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 3rd, 2017.
Videographers: Richard Auger, Andrew Mason
Editing: Pierre Massie

Michael is the creator of the choral ensemble Anúna. He was thrilled with our rendition of his beautiful song and we applaud his creativity. Anúna is an amazing group that showcases his work. Here is an example.

About Us:

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

The Stairwell Carollers scored Gold in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. A registered Canadian charity, we help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales.

All Donations get a charitable receipt.

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.

Arnprior Choral Concert TONIGHT! Glebe choirs, Stairwell Carollers, Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor - soloist

"United in Song"

TONIGHT, May 5th 8:00pm 

 St. John Chrysostom Church, 295 Albert St. Arnprior

For the choir's 40th Anniversary, The Stairwell Carollers are hosting workshops and singing with guest choirs from Glebe Collegiate Institute at our FIRST Spring 2018 Concert TONIGHT - May 5th 2018.

Taught by Glebe master teacher and choral music expert, Rachel Handley, these singers are easily some of the best voices in the city. Over the past years, the Senior, Chamber and Concert choirs won 1st place, and Junior Band earned both silver and gold certificates. In Boston, they won the "Festival's Spirit Award" for outstanding team work and positive attitude. In April 2009, the choir, band and Offbeat performed in Italy - raising over $1,000 for Aquilla earthquake victims! They’ve also performed in Austria, Calgary, England, Boston, Chicago and Germany.

Pierre Massie,  Stairwell Carollers Director, retired as Glebe Arts head in 2014 but keeps up with the music program. He coaches Offbeat, the percussion group he created when teaching at Osgoode Township High School . Offbeat has received national and international recognition, taking gold 5 consecutive years in Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and New York.

The students dropped by for a mini-workshop/rehearsal with us in preparation for tonight's concert.

Stairwell Carollers, former Stairweller bass, Keith, and the Glebe choir kids rehearse for the finale, “Hostias”, from Fauré’s Requiem - specially arranged for voices by Stairwell director, Pierre.

This premiere performance will feature Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor as baritone soloist accompanied by the combined choirs. You  may recognize his name - he sang with the world renowned a cappella group Chanticleer.

Glebe choirs will also sing:

"When it was yet dark", by Canadian composer Stephen Hatfield,  known both for his exciting arrangements of world music and his original works. He has received the Governor General's Gold Medal among other awards. A contemporary Easter anthem, this piece gives Mary Magdalene's perspective on a well-known gospel story and mentions three of the women who were close to Jesus, thus turning it into a moving feminist hymn for Christian women.

"Non Nobis Domine", composed by Rosephany Powell - arranged by William Powell will be performed by the Glebe Man Choir (boys only). Rosephanye Powell is an American composer, singer, teacher and researcher, who has been hailed as one of America's premier composers of choral music. Her compositions are characterized by beautiful melodies and rich harmonies - with diverse inspiration from African-American popular styles as well as music by Bach or Mozart.

Indodana , by Michael Barrett and Ralf Schmitt  is a traditional South African sacred song about the Crucifixion. Barrett is a composer from Pretoria, South Africa, and his compositions and arrangements have been performed throughout South Africa and abroad. He is the founding director and conductor of The Chamber Singers, one of South Africa's most sought after Chamber Choirs. Schmitt specializes in African choral music and his compositions have often aired on television and radio.

Wade in the Water first published by the Work brothers - arranged by Robert Dietz is a traditional African-American Spiritual. Dietz studied music in Australia and in New York. This Spiritual has references from the Old as well as the New Testament, and is associated with the songs of the Underground Railroad. They say Harriet Tubman used to sing it to tell slaves how to avoid the dogs by taking the path of the river.

Daemon, by composer Gyorgy Orban - a latin sacred piece. Romanian-born Hungarian, Orban taught at the Romanian Academy of Music before becoming professor of composition in Budapest in 1982.

He mixes his choral music with traditional liturgical renaissance hymns and jazz.

Complete Concert Programme Here

• Tickets at the door are $20.

Hope to see you at the concert tonight!

also...

Please DONATE to help out 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 are gifted to local charities.