Sunday, October 30, 2011

Stained Glass windows at Cathédrale Saint-Joseph, 245 Blvd Saint-Joseph, Gatineau

Stained Glass window, Cathédrale Saint-Joseph, 245 Blvd Saint-Joseph, Gatineau

Stained Glass window, Cathédrale Saint-Joseph, 245 Blvd Saint-Joseph, Gatineau

Over the years, I have photographed the gorgeous stained glass windows in all the lovely churches we have sung in. This first post is for Cathédrale Saint-Joseph, 245 Blvd Saint-Joseph in Gatineau. We sang Mass there and it was heavenly!

Stained Glass window, Cathédrale Saint-Joseph, 245 Blvd Saint-Joseph, Gatineau


Stained Glass window, Cathédrale Saint-Joseph, 245 Blvd Saint-Joseph, Gatineau


Cathédrale Saint-Joseph, 245 Blvd Saint-Joseph, Gatineau

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

CHOIR HOW-TO -- Costume -- Part Six: Spring Pastels to Basic Black

The Stairwell Carollers --  Pretty in Pink
In 2005, we scooped up ice cream colours for our spring concerts and I felt quite uplifted by our look. It suited the spring mood and was very simple. However, most members had to go out and search for tops and shirts in pastel colours since they did not have anything suitable already in their wardrobe. It proved to be a daunting task for some, myself included. Maybe pastels weren't in that year, but I remember going in and out of the stores at St. Laurent Shopping center -- getting more and more frustrated as there was nothing but common t-shirts in pastel.I finally ended up in the little old lady section at SE*RS, where I found my soon to be hated yellow top.

Sigh.

The pastels served us well for a few seasons until the Steering Committee decided they wanted the group to appear more "professional". The final judgement was that this look was cheerful, but a bit casual and an executive decision was made to look for a different option.

Sigh of relief:)

The Stairwell Carollers in All Black

Back in Black

The Big Decision was Artsy black. This choice gave us the classical musician look and reflected the status of the group. All Black has turned out to be the best and simplest costume by far. It was easy for me, as the ersatz costume lady, since the onus was on each individual to supply their own outfit. We do look pulled together and professional don't we?

We gave everyone some simple guidelines to put together thir own outfit (usually from their existing closet) The Men's outfits were actually more restrictive than the women's, since we had to put our foot down on no collars (which scream casual) and polo type shirts (golfing!).

In All Black at the Rideau Chapel in the National Gallery
BLACK RULES!
True Black pieces are a must.  Greenish, red or brown-tone "blacks" won't cut it -- stage lights will show up the underlying colour in the material to discerning audience members.

Men:
collared shirt , long sleeves

Everyone:
Black dress shoes
Black socks or thick hose
No overt textures -- mainly in the front row.

Women:
No bare legs, elbows, shoulders or cleavage
No sparkly or glittery elements on the garment
No obvious see through elements

We left jewellery choices up to each person, but I always wear crystals since they sparkle nicely. Most keep it subtle gold or silver. If you are concerned, just instruct your group not to wear chunky jewellery that introduces another colour to the monochromatic outfit. 
The Stairwell Carollers Spring 2011 Group Photo in All Black
NO PRUDES HERE

The request for less skin was not made for prudish reasons, rather, for the overall look. Against the black, skin glows under stage lights and in photos, so we all agreed on covering it. For instance, elbows look knobby below short black sleeves and ample cleavage really picks up the stage lights.

We don't want to pull the audiences focus away from the music:)

Well, dear readers, this brings me to the end of the CHOIR HOW-TO -- COSTUME series for the blog.

If you need help with costume decisions for your choir, I'm only a comment or email away and I'd love to help you.

The Choir Costume series links :)

Choir Costume Part 1 - what NOT to wear?
Choir Costume Part 2 - Gowns or Gownless Evening Straps?
Choir Costume Part 3 - Girls in Tails
Choir Costume Part 4 - Period Wear -- Medieval/Renaissance to Victorian Era
Choir Costume Part 5 - Cloaks are all the Vogue
Choir Costume Part 6 - Spring Pastels to Basic Black

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Allons au vert bocage -- Guillaume Costeley - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

Allons au vert bocage - photo Holly Massie , all rights reserved




Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform the madrigal "Allons au vert bocage"  by Guillaume Costeley (1530 -- 1606,  a French composer of the Renaissance.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 18th, 2011.
Stills: Holly Massie
Videographer: Zoe Hart.
Editing: Pierre Massie

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Welcome New Stairwellers! Our choir complement for Christmas 2011

Pete directs the warmup
A big welcome to our four new members.  
Official Stairwellers all!

Martha
Nikki


Adam
Felicia
Soprano 1
Diana, Nicole, Denyse, Maggie
Soprano 2
Ann, Felicia, Andrea 
Alto 1
Jan, Diane, Holly, Martha 
Alto 2
Nicole, Kelly, Helen, Susan 
Tenor 1
Ryan (sometimes may be Tenor 2), Aditi, Morgan, Pete Massie
Tenor 2
Paul, Martin, David 
Bass 1
Keith, Bill, Adam, Rex (sometime Bass 2)
Bass 2 
John, René 
First rehearsal with the new choir members

A New Name, Easier Navigation, a Testimonials Page and more!

I want to tell the world about our new Look!

NEW BLOG NAME
The Stairwell Carollers Song Blog is now The Stairwell Carollers Choir Blog. Why? It makes more sense for search engines and individuals to find us. Say you search "choirs in Ottawa" -- now we have a better chance of being found with the keyword "choir" in our name.

NEW STAND-ALONE PAGES
New Pages such as a Testimonials Page, Contact Page and About Us Page  make important information about our choir easier to find. Pages enable direct links to our CDs at our Support Us Page, concert listings and even an opportunity to advertise in our Playbill for the upcoming Christmas season..

The YouTube Page has an embedded link to the Stairwell Carollers official YouTube channel.

Finally, a new Page I've dubbed "Hear here! Ottawa" collects local Ottawa/Gatineau online classical musician and concert resources.

ONE-CLICK NAVIGATION
Every one of these important topics are now instantly accessible with one click. Please comment and tell us what you think of our new look!

Holly :)

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Gloria in excelsis -- Claude Goudimel - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa.

Stained glass window at St. Joseph's in Gatineau




Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Gloria in excelsis"  by Claude Goudimel (b 1514-20, - d 1572), a French composer, music editor and publisher, and music theorist of the Renaissance.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 18th, 2011.
Stills: Holly Massie
Videographer: Zoe Hart.
Editing: Pierre Massie

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Au joly bois by Claudin de Sermisy - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa






Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform the madrigal, "Au joly bois"  by Claudin de Sermisy (1490 -- 1562) a French composer of the Renaissance.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 18th, 2011.
Stills: Holly Massie
Videographer: Zoe Hart.
Editing: Pierre Massie

*French.png French text

Au joly boys, en l`ombre d`ung soucy,
M`y fault aller pour passer ma tristesse,
Remply de dueil d`ung souvenir transy,
Menger m`y fault maintes poires d`angoisse,
En ung jardin remply de noires flours
De mes deux yeulx feray larmes et plours.
Fy de lyesse et hardiesse! Regret m`oppresse,
Puis que j`ay perdu mes amours.
Las! trop j`endure, Le temps m`y dure, Je vous asseure:
Soulas, vous n`avez plus de cours!

*English.png English translation

I have to go to the pretty wood
and spend my grief in the shadow of worry
Filled with mourning for a penetrating memory
I must eat such bitter fruit
In a garden filled with black flowers
I shall weep and sob from my two eyes
So much for jollity and bold adventures, I am oppressed with regret
Because I have lost my love
Alas I endure too much, time hangs heavy on me, I tell you for sure:
Joy and solace are no more.
*FRENCH TEXT AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION  FROM CPL.ORG WITH THANKS

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