Thursday, December 27, 2012

BEHIND THE SONG -- Gift Basket Love for Stairweller concerts


Gift basket from Greely Foodland for our final concert of the 2012 Christmas carol season
Two incredible gift baskets donated for our final two concerts! 

Ever since I got my idea to use gift baskets for concert reception door prizes, I've been spending my spare time madly assembling gift baskets with products donated by various generous businesses around Ottawa. 

Then, two wonderful merchants went over the top, and each donated completed baskets worth over $50 each!

From Downtowne Ice Cream and Candy Shoppe in Merrickville, a homey basket with a gorgeous bow - filled with Shelley's hand-made chocolates and candies


Shelley Innes serving customers a taste
Be sure to visit The Downtowne Ice Cream Shoppe in Merrickville. 

Shelley and a handful of hand-picked helpers make all the ice cream (and Gelato in the summer) by hand from Shelley's own recipes. Her artist daughter, Heather, comes up with whimsical names and paints all the signs within the shop.
Fleur's Finest hand-made chocolates


This antiqued metal gift basket is reminiscent of a sleigh.


They also stock every nostalgic candy and treat you could want as well as her amazing line of hand-made chocolates, named for Shelley's mom -- Fleur's Finest.

Visit MacKinnon's Foodland in Greely when you are traveling south in the Ottawa Valley. Kit makes spectacular gift baskets of unrivaled value. Her gift to us of a $50 value gift basket looks more like $150!

 Needless to say, the baskets were huge hits at both concerts -- details to follow!!

 

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Ottawa Sun includes Stairwell Carollers in Xmas video lineup

 Crown of Thorns plant -- blooms at Christmas


Myn Lyking, an Old English carol, performed by The Stairwell Carollers

Stairwell Caroller scarf and cloak are one piece




Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Myn Lyking" by R.R. Terry. This a cappella setting of the Old English lullaby carol is by the choir's director, Pierre Massie.  The carollers, an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by Pierre, has earned the distinction of being ranked amongst the best of Ottawa choirs by choral critics. We are a non-profit organization, and raise funds for local charities through our concert, CD and cookbook sales.

This version of Myn Lyking will be included in our next Christmas CD, release date, October 2015.  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.

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

Monday, December 24, 2012

Iesous Ahatonnia - The Huron Carol - Merry Christmas from the Stairwell Carollers


                Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Iesous Ahatonnia" - The Huron Carol - in a new arrangement by Pierre Massie.  

Pete found the original Huron words for his new arrangement of The Huron Carol, commonly believed to be "the first Canadian Christmas carol".

Here are the words to the Huron Carol as transcribed at http://www.wyandot.org/carol.htm 

Huron/Wendat Language

Es-ten-nia-lon de tson-ou-e
Jesous a-ha-ton-hia,
On-naou-a-te-ou-a d'o-ki
N'on-ouan-da-skoua-en-tak;
En-non-chien skou-a-tri-ho-tat,
N'on-ou-an-di-lon-ra-cha-tha,
Jesous a-ha-ton-hia,
Jesous a-ha-ton-hi-a   

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

This version of "Iesous Ahatonnia", will be included in our next Xmas CD.  Expected release date will be October 2015.

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.

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

Monday, December 17, 2012

Suo Gân - Welsh traditional Christmas carol, sung by the men of The Stairwell Carollers

Pete and grand-niece, Jaila and niece Judy (Jaila's Auntie)
       Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform the Welsh carol, "Suo Gân",  arranged by Lawrence Wiliford.  

This is the one recording from our 2011 Christmas concert that highlights Paul Churchill as he sings tenor. He is standing second from the left in the back row. 

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

   English translation of this traditional Welsh carol from Wikipedia

Sleep my baby, at my breast,
’Tis a mother’s arms round you.
Make yourself a snug, warm nest.
Feel my love forever new.
Harm will not meet you in sleep,
Hurt will always pass you by.
Child beloved, always you’ll keep,
In sleep gentle, mother’s breast nigh.
Sleep in peace tonight, sleep,
O sleep gently, what a sight.
A smile I see in slumber deep,
What visions make your face bright?
Are the angels above smiling,
At you in your peaceful rest?
Are you beaming back while in
Peaceful slumber on mother’s breast?
Do not fear the sound, it’s a breeze
Brushing leaves against the door.
Do not dread the murmuring seas,
Lonely waves washing the shore.
Sleep child mine, there’s nothing here,
While in slumber at my breast,
Angels smiling, have no fear,
Holy angels guard your rest.
This version of "Suo Gân" will be included in our next Xmas CD.  Expected release date will be October 2015.  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.

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

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Past Three O'Clock - A wonderful medley of old carols

"Hope" banner at Glebe St. James Church, Ottawa
Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers perform "Past Three O'Clock"  arranged by William Llewellyn.  

 

The Stairwell Carollers, an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, has earned the distinction of being ranked amongst the best of Ottawa 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 "Past Three O'clock" will be included in our next Xmas CD.  Expected release date will be October 2015.  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.

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


Only tickets AT THE DOOR now for Glebe St. James Christmas carol Concert


                  Online tickets sales have been tremendous for our final two concerts of our 2012 Christmas carol season. 

Pete is turning off the online ticket option at 1:00pm today for  Glebe St. James, so you will have to get to the church early to purchase your ticket and get a seat.

Remember, there is NO reserved seating. If you have bought a ticket online, you still have to get there early to get your choice of seat.

Early Bird
What is early? I''d say no later that 7:00 pm. 

Susan will have her hands full making sure we don''t oversell and Michelle and her ticket crew will be very busy making sure every one gets a good seat. 


Glebe St. James United Church
 TONIGHT
 Saturday, Dec 15th Glebe St. James


Wednesday Dec 19th St. Columba
Scrambling for seats at our 2011 St. Columba concert


Online ticket option will remain for St. Columba until NOON of Dec 19th.

YouTube 2012 Concert teaser  

Friday, December 14, 2012

Gatineau Concert for L'Arche Agapè a joy to be remembered

       Dress Rehearsal Wednesday evening at L'Eglise St. Matthieu did not prepare us for the joyous moments we would experience in performance the coming Friday Dec 7th. 

Most of the audience had never seen us in concert before, and they were so responsive and vocal we felt washed in a wave of love from beginning to end. 

The community members of L'Arche Agapè were proudly seated in the front row and soaked up every note, their love of the music glowing in their faces. 

After the last song almost all of them jumped to their feet and wasted no time greeting us, shaking hands and telling us how much they enjoyed it.

Two and a half standing ovations later it was over, ranking amongst one of my most personally rewarding concerts.

CD sales were at a record high at this concert, and, after the fact, Susan suggested the Carollers donate $5 from each CD sold at the concert to L'Arche Agapè. We hope this little extra will help them go forward towards their goals -- including someday setting up a community workshop.

Evocative 2013 calendars are available from L'Arche Agapè that celebrate their community and family. Each splendid black and white photograph captures the moment with dignity and spontaneity.



Thursday, December 13, 2012

An overflowing audience welcomed us to Almonte for our second 2012 Christmas Carol Concert

Warming up in Almonte United Church just before the concert
Almonte United Church

A new Stairweller -- the Xmas tree
Pete gives last minute "notes"
            Almonte United Church was packed to the rafters for our second concert of the season, Saturday Dec 1st. 



We always find the ambiance and the acoustics at Almonte very relaxing -- we can hear each other well and I think we sing better because of it.
Sopranos!





The audience gave us a standing ovation too!

.... and it was my birthday.
Our 2012 group photo -- thanks Genevieve!
Thanks to Michelle and Genevieve for womaning the CD table -- we couldn't do it without them.

Our tech crew worked hard to make us glow in the darkness.

We also got a nice article in the Humm.

Quite the birthday gift, I must say :)

  Our Article is on page 12 -- embedded below


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Our first concert of the 2012 Christmas season

St. Paul's Eastern United church

           A warm return to a lovely old downtown Ottawa church Friday evening November 30th, heralded the beginning of our Christmas 2012 Carol Concert season.

We had a wonderful time singing for a very appreciative audience.

 We also gave away our first Door Prize gift basket -- with over $50 worth of goodies donated by local businesses.

 Here's a taste of some of the carols you can hear at this season's concerts.

Something for the kitty cat and choral music lovers out there :)

Denyse's kitty, Fino
 Courtesy of Maggie and YouTube.


  


Holly :)

Venez divin Messie - The Stairwell Carollers




                Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Venez divin Messie" - arranged by Pierre Massie.  

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

This version of "Venez divin Messie" will be included in our next Xmas CD.  Expected release date will be October 2015.  


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.


Saturday, December 8, 2012

A Musical Match made in Marchand -- article in The Fulcrum -- University of Ottawa

The Stairwell Carollers singing at our wedding in 1980
The birth of the Stairwell Carollers at Ottawa University, written by Adam Feibel. Sourced by Adam from an article written by David Rain and a phone conversation with me.

Published Dec 2012 in The Fulcrum, The University of Ottawa's  paper. 
The Black and White photo he used was published originally in a 1979 article on us -- also in The Fulcrum.

Thanks, Adam! 
SCROLL DOWN IN WINDOW TO VIEW ARTICLE

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Stairwell Carollers to sing on CFRA for 2012 Christmas Cheer Broadcast

The Stairwell Carollers on CFRA CFMO Dec 1 1985, Xmas Exchange Broadcast
                                CFRA has asked us back for the annual 2012 Christmas Cheer broadcast, tomorrow, Thursday Dec 6th We will sing ON AIR between 5PM and 6PM. 

As you may have noticed from the pic, this is not our first time helping out the Christmas cheer broadcast thanks to long time supporter Gord Atkinson. For a number of years it was a Stairwell Caroller tradition, so we are thrilled to be asked back to help again with this wonderful cause.

Come on down to see us -- right near Santa at the Rideau Centre, Centre Court, or tune in to CFRA to listen and donate :)
 

Monday, December 3, 2012

Pierre Massie Composition, Mourning Dove, to be played on Ottawa's Peace Tower Carillon

Pierre Massie's original Xmas carol, Mourning Dove, on the Carillon Dec 17th
Dr. Andrea McCrady, Dominion Carillonneur, will play Pierre's beautiful original Christmas carol, Mourning Dove, on the Peace Tower's carillon, Monday Dec 17th at 12:00 noon.

Apparently, she saw our videos on YouTube and was suitably impressed by Pierre's compositions. It was a toss-up between Eya Eya Gaudeamus and Mourning Dove. We got to meet Andrea at our recent concert in Almonte, which she attended.

Pierre and I will be there to record this honour for posterity. And for YouTube.

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