Door prizes, gift baskets, receptions after the concerts and, of course, Christmas a cappella from The Stairwell Carollers

Gift Basket ready for cellophane wrap

            I got a crazy idea while "failing upwards" two weeks ago in the Glebe.

My task: convince local businesses to purchase ads in our program booklet.

My challenge: The Recession.

I sold a few, but some business owners replied to my request with -- "our ad budget is all used up, but if you want us to donate product..."

This is what I meant by "failing UPWARD". This wacky idea bloomed in my mind -- GIFT BASKETS!  Crazy, since I have no gift wrapping skills -- none -- ask Pete. He wraps gifts if we want them to look nice, like with wrapping paper. I wrap round things in tissue paper and use gift bags a lot.

 Anyway...

We already do door prizes at all our concerts and there is always a reception with all kinds of food, coffee, tea and juice after. Hence the name of our cookbook -- Eatwell. Yes, I used to call us the Eatwell Carollers because of all the food scarfing that occurred at the reception. And I'm not talking about the audience. After all, we do expend all that singing energy on stage. Eatwell...Carollers.

I thought it was funny.

Anyway...

This year is set to be bigger better and more Stairwell gifty than ever! Some baskets will be door prizes, and some will be for sale at the CD table. All proceeds going to needy charities in the Ottawa area.

Door prizes, gift baskets, #concerts #Christmas #acappella from The Stairwell Carollers stairwellcarollers.blogspot.ca/2012/11/door-p… #Ottawa #Caroling
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) December 7, 2012

Basket with Twinings tea in a cute sweater wearing cup and chocolates from Loblaws -- and CDS

Starbucks mug, coffee and truffles and CDs too

A few visits to some local businesses and my crazy idea came to fruition.

THANKS to:

Joanne at the Baarhaven Loblaws for two generous Loblaws gift cards to buy items for the baskets. Shopping is fun!

pile o' baskets

Andy at Osgoode Foodland. I told him about my plan and he IMMEDIATELY asked me what I needed. When I told him the toughest challenge was the basket makings -- baskets, bows and cello bags So, he promptly filled my arms with just that.

Blair and Kit at McKinnon's Foodland in Greely were kind enough to offer one of Kits own handcrafted gift baskets for a door prize at our Dec 15th concert at Glebe St. James.

Kirsten at the Starbucks in Orleans for two 1lb. bags of specialty coffee beans and two gorgeous red Starbucks mugs. Thanks Kirsten!

Crystal at the Baarhaven Starbucks matched that donation with two 1lb. bags of specialty coffee and two stainless steel travel mugs!

"Spring" fill

Kit & Kaboodles in Manotick for a generous bag of red "spring fill" to stuff the baskets -- not easy to get, I can tell you!

Beata Nita at Staples in Orleans -- 2085 tenth line rd. -- for a gift card which bought brand-name  truffles and seashell chocolates.  Yum! No, I didn't eat them.

JYSK in Orleans donated a dozen clusters of decorations to add a festive touch.

Decorations, truffles, Belgium seashell chocolates and ... our CDs

So come on out to our concerts -- not for the music, of course -- but for a chance to win one of our amazing selection of gift baskets!


The Stairwell Carollers present their 2012 Christmas Carol Concert season, "Eya, eya, gaudeamus"
 

Saturday, December 15^th
Glebe St James United Church, 650 Lyon Street South, Ottawa (ON) , 7:30pm.



Wednesday, December 19^th
St Columba Anglican Church 24 Sandridge Rd, , Ottawa, (ON), 7:30pm.

For these two performances only, advance tickets can be purchased for $15, using the following options... 

BUY THEM NOW ONLINE through 

PayPal

Purchase tickets at the following locations...

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

Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $20. 

Purchase online tickets for these two concerts. Choose a location. Instructions for your online purchase

 

---

Other concert listings...

Friday, November 30^th
St-Paul's Eastern United, 473 Cumberland Street, Ottawa, (ON) , 7:30pm.


Saturday, December 1^st
Almonte United Church, 106 Elgin St., Almonte, (ON), 7:30pm.


Sunday, December 2^nd
We will be caroling in the Byward Market area starting around noon. Watch for us!


Friday, December 7^th
Église St Matthieu, 69 rue de Provence, Gatineau, (QC) , 7:30pm.


Saturday, December 8^th
St-James Anglican Church, 225 Edmund Street, Carleton Place, (ON) , 7:30pm.


Sunday, December 9^th
National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr Ottawa, 3pm, in the Great Hall.

Da Capo -- Ottawa choir returns to their roots -- 35 years later !

The Stairwell Carollers, 1978 -- note Dawn's t-shirt I made for her celebrating the name she coined

For Holly Massie, it all started when she met future husband Pierre Massie in the Marchand Residence of Ottawa U in 1975.

He was studying music in French, and she, theatre in English.

It was the perfect match. One thing led naturally to another, and before you could say “do, sol, mi, do”, Pierre had recruited Holly to sing in the stairwells of their residence to cheer up students during exam times.

As she still likes to joke, “My life took a turn for the chorus.”

Holly and Dawn 1977

Pierre started recruiting more singers, and by 1977 they had become a tiny choir of ten. They sang Christmas carols that year at the Bayshore Shopping Centre, and caught the attention of Gord Atkinson, who was hosting CFMO radio’s Christmas cheer broadcast.

As Holly relates, “Shaking in our choir boots, we stared at this celebrity as he asked us our NAME.”

“WHAT name? We HAD no name…While I was trying not to panic, soprano, Dawn, piped up – ‘The Stairwell Carollers!’ Gord ran with it, the name ran with us – and I’ve been running on the fast track, Stairwell Carolling, ever since.”

Pierre and Holly July 5 1980

From these very humble beginnings, Holly has accompanied Pierre on his 35 year journey – developing this tiny group of singers into one of Ottawa’s premier a cappella choirs, with seven professionally-produced CDs to their credit.

The Stairwell Carollers have also developed a humanitarian mission, transforming income from concert tickets and CD sales into $45,000 in donations to local charities.

As well, scholarships worth $11,000 have been offered to high school students pursuing musical studies at Ottawa U itself, and at other Canadian universities.

And this year, the Carollers are returning to within a stone’s throw of where it all began 35 years ago!

You can hear the choir just down the road from Ottawa U this Friday November 30 at St Paul’s Eastern United Church, 473 Cumberland St, at 7:30pm.

It’s a chance to hear some great music and to support the Carollers’ humanitarian work as well.

You can also catch the choir at these concerts in the Glebe and Manor Park areas:

• December 15: Glebe St James United Church, 650 Lyon St, 7:30pm. NB: the Carollers will be presenting a special $2,000 “Christmas gift” to the youth literacy group, Sage Youth-Jeunesse Sage, at this concert.
• December 19, St Columba Anglican Church, 24 Sandridge Road, 7:30pm.

David Rain

David Rain, who lives near Ottawa U, has been receiving his musical cues from the back of Pierre Massie’s head for the past 20 years. For tickets/CDs, visit: www.stairwellcarollers.com.

Deck the Hall sung by the Stairwell Carollers -- A Holiday favourite

Add caption

   Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers perform "Deck the Hall"  arranged by John Rutter.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Columba Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 17th, 2011.
Videographer: Andrew Mason.
Editing: Pierre Massie

 

The Stairwell Carollers are a registered non-profit organization, who raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales We are an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, is ranked amongst the best of Ottawa choirs by choral critics.

This version of "Deck the Hall" is included in our Mourning Dove CD. 

All our CDs are available on our website in both CD form and as MP3 downloads.

Buy our CDs and help local charities reach their goals!!!

Visit our website for updates.

Our new Sacred music CD, Cantate Domino, is dedicated to the memory of Paul Churchill, tenor, whose voice and heart will be forever remembered.

If  you live in the Ottawa region, you can purchase any of our our CDs directly from choir members. 
 
Buy our CDs online - available now as Mp3 downloads, at Ottawa stores, or at our live concerts.     

Email us at info@stairwellcarollers.com

The Ottawa Citizen - NEW Stairwell Caroller article

The Stairwell Carollers in concert at St. Columba church, Ottawa

                             Check out the Ottawa Citizen for an article on us, last Friday, Nov 23rd!

Written by David Rain, it lets readers know about this year's choice of charity to receive a $2000 gift cheque from our choir. It's all happening at our fundraising concert at Glebe St. James United church, Friday December 15th, 2012.

Carol of The Bells - a seasonal favourite sung by The Stairwell Carollers

Stairwell Carollers scarf

                           
                                                        Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Carol of The Bells"  composed by Mykola Leontovych with lyrics created by Peter J. Wilhousky.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Columba Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 17th, 2011.
Videographer: Andrew Mason.
Editing: Pierre Massie

#Carol of The Bells - a seasonal favourite sung by The Stairwell Carollers nblo.gs/ERqfK #Christmas #Xmascarol #YouTube
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) November 17, 2012

The Stairwell Carollers are an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie to share the spirit of Christmas with our music. We are a non-profit, charitable organization, who raise funds for local charities and needy community groups through our concert, CD and cookbook sales.

This version of "Carol of The Bells" is on our Qui creavit celem CD.  All our CDs are available on our website in both CD form and as MP3 downloads.

Buy our CDs and help other charities reach their goals!!!

Visit our blog
or our website for updates.

Our brand-new Sacred music CD, Cantate Domino is dedicated to the memory of Paul Churchill, tenor, whose voice and heart will be forever remembered.

If  you live in the Ottawa region, you can purchase any of our our CDs directly from choir members. 
 
Email us at info@stairwellcarollers.com

Buy our CDs online - available now as Mp3 downloads, at Ottawa stores, or at our live concerts.   

Mon beau sapin - O Tannenbaum, en Francais, sung by The Stairwell Carollers

Stairwell Carollers Stille Nacht Christmas concert at St. Columba, Ottawa -- 2011

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers perform "Mon beau sapin" Traditional music,  arrangement by Maurice Dela and Pierre Massie.  



This is a french version of the original German carol, O Tannenbaum, (words by Ernst Anschüt). In English, O Christmas Tree.

The carollers, an a cappella group formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, are a non-profit organization, who raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

This version of "Mon beau sapin" is on our Laudemus cum armonia CD. 

All our CDs are now available as MP3 downloads.

Buy our CDs and help other charities reach their goals!!!

Visit our Official website.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Columba Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 17th, 2011.
Videographer: Andrew Mason.
Editing: Pierre Massie

Our brand-new Sacred music CD, Cantate Domino is dedicated to the memory of Paul Churchill, tenor, whose voice and heart will be forever remembered.

If  you live in the Ottawa region, you can purchase any of our our CDs directly from choir members. 
 
Email us at info@stairwellcarollers.com

Buy our CDs online - available now as Mp3 downloads, at Ottawa stores, or at our live concerts.   

Check us out on About.Me and Pinterest :)

Source: about.me via Stairwell on Pinterest

God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen - a timeless carol, sung by The Stairwell Carollers

Whiskeyjack (Northern Jay) photo by Holly Massie, All rights reserved

The Stairwell Carollers perform "God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen" Traditional.  

The carollers, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, is ranked amongst the best of Ottawa a cappella choirs by choral critics. We are a non-profit organization, who raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.



This version of "God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen" will be on our next Xmas CD to be released in fall of 2015.  Our CDs are now available as MP3 downloads.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Columba Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 17th, 2011.
Videographer: Andrew Mason.
Editing: Pierre Massie

God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen - a timeless #carol, sung by The Stairwell Carollers nblo.gs/Eze92 #Christmas #choir #chorale #YouTube

— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) November 10, 2012

Buy our CDs and help other charities reach their goals!!!

Visit The Stairwell Carollers Official website.


Our brand-new Sacred music CD, Cantate Domino is dedicated to the memory of Paul Churchill, tenor, whose voice and heart will be forever remembered.

If  you live in the Ottawa region, you can purchase any of our our CDs directly from choir members. 
 
Email us at info@stairwellcarollers.com

Buy our CDs online - available now as Mp3 downloads, at Ottawa stores, or at our live concerts.  

Article about The Stairwell Carollers in The Millstone

The Stairwell Carollers Director, Pierre Massie, leads the choir from the tenor section

Direct Link to Stairwell Caroller Article in the Millstone

For Remembrance day and our Vets -- two beautiful videos

Here are some more ways to REMEMBER and honour our Vets...

Download our 2012 Brochure - Stairwell Caroller Concerts and info - all in one place

PDF In English

Download our 2012 Brochure - Stairwell Caroller Concerts, info - all in one place nblo.gs/ExAhV #Ottawa #Choral #choir #Christmas
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) November 10, 2012

PDF, en Francais

Here are further details about our Concerts...

Our brand-new Sacred music CD, Cantate Domino is dedicated to the memory of Paul Churchill, tenor, whose voice and heart will be forever remembered.

If  you live in the Ottawa region, purchase any of our our CDs directly from choir members. 
 
Email us anytime at info@stairwellcarollers.com

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

The Stairwell Carollers 2012 Christmas Concert Schedule

"Eya, eya, gaudeamus"
	Saturday, December 15th Glebe St James United Church, 650 Lyon Street South, Ottawa (ON) , 7:30pm.
	Wednesday, December 19th St Columba Anglican Church 24 Sandridge Rd, , Ottawa, (ON), 7:30pm. For these two performances only, advance tickets can be purchased for $15, using the following options... BUY THEM NOW ONLINE through  PayPal Purchase tickets at the following locations... • Leading Note, 370 Elgin St., Suite No. 2 • Compact Music, 785 1/2 Bank Street OR • Books on Beechwood, 35 Beechwood Ave. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $20.  Purchase online tickets for these two concerts. Choose a location. Instructions for your online purchase
	Other concert listings...
	Friday, November 30th St-Paul's Eastern United, 473 Cumberland Street, Ottawa, (ON) , 7:30pm.
	Saturday, December 1st Almonte United Church, 106 Elgin St., Almonte, (ON), 7:30pm.
	Sunday, December 2nd We will be caroling in the Byward Market area starting around noon. Watch for us!
	Friday, December 7th Église St Matthieu, 69 rue de Provence, Gatineau, (QC) , 7:30pm.
	Saturday, December 8th St-James Anglican Church, 225 Edmund Street, Carleton Place, (ON) , 7:30pm.
	Sunday, December 9th National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr Ottawa, 3pm, in the Great Hall.

The Stairwell Carollers 2012 Christmas Concert Schedule stairwellcarollers.blogspot.ca/2012/11/the-st…
— Holly Massie (@HollyWroteit) November 6, 2012