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!

Now confirmed -- 2011 Spring Concert At St. Barnabas Saturday, June 18

O Vos Omnes -- Saturday, June 18^th 7:30 pm. 
St. Barnabas, Apostle and Martyr Anglican Church
 ,70 James Street, Ottawa, ON. K1R 5M3

Join us as we discover together a new venue that we've never sung in before.

At a little church in Montebello, Quebec

We heard that the sound is amazing at St. Barnabas, and that we should hold our main concert there. The whole choir is really looking forward to this concert and we hope to meet lots of new people there.

An after-concert party in Montebello, Quebec

Here is a recording of St Barnabas's own choir with the selections that earned them first prize in the Church Choir category in the 2010 National Competition for Amateur Choirs, co-sponsored by the Association of Canadian Choral Communities (ACCC) and CBC/Radio Canada.

Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen -- the original and an A cappella version from YouTube

Two Bohemian Rhapsody versions -- just for fun!

The original Bohemian Rhapsody -- what an incredible voice Freddy Mercury had!



A modern a cappella version. A little off-center but fun:)

For Easter -- sermon "Because Jesus..." -- from Brother Byron's Blog

Brother Byron, a young Baptist minister with an earnest Sermon about Easter, suffering, singing, joy. and forgiveness for sin.

His sermon is eloquent, passionate and personal.Without blame, he explores his belief that Jesus was in complete control at the crucifixion, ensuring that prophesy would be fulfilled.
"Sermon by Bro. Byron Chesney preached at Highland Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN on Wednesday evening, April 20, 2011. "Because Christ" Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25 KJV. A look at how our LORD stood silent and without reviling his accusers and how we are to follow in his footsteps. " (from hisYouTube channel)

Photos from the 2010 Federation of Canadian Music Festivals competition, 2nd place

Here are some photos taken when Martin went to Montreal to accept our 2nd place win in the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals- FCMF. This was the National levels where we placed 2nd in all of Canada!


"Honorable Barbara A Hagerman, class second place, donated by Cold Lake Music Festival AB. Stairwell Carollers, On. Pierre Massie, director (Sheila Lonsbury presenting to Martin Fairbank, Choir Member."
"Photos courtesy of Sue Burke. All photos © 2010 FCMF. Permission granted for personal, non-profit use by competitors, delegates and member festivals. Please give credit to the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals where possible.Any other use of any photograph is expressly forbidden without prior written authorization of FCMF."

The Virtual Choir – Eric Whitacre

and here's a link to his official website.
The Virtual Choir – Eric Whitacre

"OCCASIONAL MONKS" -- Tenebrae - readings and polyphonic responses

TENEBRAE  -- we pray into darkness...

So states the simple black and white poster for a service of readings and polyphonic musical responses.

 8:00 pm April 19, 2011

St. Matthias Anglican Church

555 Parkdale Ave.

Aditi Gowri

Performed by "Occasional Monks"

(Charles Donnelly

and Stairwellers, Briian Fisher, Helen Lucker and Aditi.)

Brian Fisher

Helen Lucker

 All are welcome to this meditative commemoration
of Jesus' faith in the face of human betrayal.


Please Note,
The "Occasional Monks"  group is not affiliated with the Stairwell Carollers or Pierre Massie.

Eric Whitacre on TED talks -- discusses his "Virtual Choir" as seen on YouTube

Gaillarde - Hans Leo Hassler, The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa.

Ottawa Tulip Festival  photo, Holly Massie

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Gaillarde" by Hans Leo Hassler (1564 --1612) a German composer of the Renaissance & early Baroque. St-Charles Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 8th, 2001.

Former Stairweller memorialized in Ottawa Citizen

We were all sad to see the passing of former Stairwell Caroller Bass Anthony Johansen. A lively, spirited person, he was a member of the group from 1996 to 1999. 

His voice is immortalized on our first CD, Qui Creavite Celum..

Here is his Life Story "A love of the sea and of life" as published in today's Citizen:

Submitted b y David Rain 

Long-time Stairweller, Keith Bailey, sings at Savoy Society Night

Savoy Society presents Gilbert and Sullivan Greatest Hits April 27

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Stairwell Caroller, Keith Bailey (currently on hiatus) will be reprising "When I was a Lad"  -- Sir Joeph Porter's song from HMS Pinafore.

Keith and Pete enjoying the moment at a pub during our Montebello summer concert tour

The Honourable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons,  singing the role of Koko in excerpts from The Mikado, will join the rest of the cast on stage for the Savoy Society's production of Gilbert and Sullivan Greatest Hits.

And now for something completely different from the Savoy Society - Gilbert and Sullivan Greatest Hits at Notre Dame HS Auditorium, 710 Broadview Ave, April 27th at 7:30 p.m.

The evening  features music from the four big shows: Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, The Mikado and The Gondoliers sung by former Savoy leads and chorus.

Church Bulletin Bloopers -- Monday Fun :)

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They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins!These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:

  
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
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The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
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Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
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Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
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Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
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Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
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For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
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Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
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A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow..
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered..
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM . All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM . Please use the back door.
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM . The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
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The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.

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Contest!! Ending Soon!

The Stairwell Carollers Website contest is ending soon!  Don't miss out on your chance to win $200 by simply visiting our website.  Go to http://www.stairwellcarollers.com/index-E.html, click on "Contest" and complete the questions whose answers are all there on our website just waiting to be found.  

Want to get there fast?  Simply click this link - http://www.stairwellcarollers.com/contest.html - and start surfing!

Once your completed form is submitted, and you answered all the questions correctly, you will be placed in a draw for $200 being held Saturday, June 18th.

National Gallery of Canada Spring Concert confirmed -- Rideau Chapel

Rideau Chapel ceiling

The majestic spider sculpture, 'Maman', by Louise Bourgeois,  stands guard outside the National Gallery

We are thrilled to announce that the National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, has again invited us to perform in the breathtaking Rideau Chapel exhibit . The concert is confirmed for Sunday, June 5th, 3:00 P.M. -- free with Gallery admission.

2010 Spring Concert,Rideau Chapel, National Gallery of Canada

Pierre continually updates our official concert page  and as soon as our concert dates and times are confirmed, I will post them with the Tag "2011 Spring season".