Margot labourez les vignes, a Renaissance madrigal by Jacob Arcadelt. The Stairwell Carollers on YouTube

Our Grapes -- photo Holly Massie, all rights reserved

              Margot labourez les vignes by Jacob Arcadelt (also Jacques Arcadelt; c. 1507 -- 1568), a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance, active in both Italy and France. Sung a cappella style, as always, by my choir, The Stairwell Carollers.

Recorded at our spring concert at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013. 

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.

Video Editing: Pierre Massie 

Music BLOGGERS! 

Link your blog post  at our Monthly Linkup Party!! Music Bloggers Unite!

O Jesu Christe -- Jacquet de Berchem - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

                    Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "O Jesu Christe" by Jacquet de Berchem (also known as Giachet(to) Berchem or Jakob van Berchem; (c. 1505 -- 1567), a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance.

Buy our CDs and support Ottawa/Hull charities!

 This version of "O Jesu Christe" is on our "Cantate Domino" CD, available on CD or Mp3 through our website

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers:Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Editing: Pierre Massie

Music BLOGGERS! 

Link your blog post  at our Monthly Linkup Party!! Music Bloggers Unite!

Add your LINK -- August Linky party on NOW. TOP THREE from our June Choral Love Link-up

                           Before you LINK up your Musically-related photos, articles, compositions and blogs...

Please take a moment to check out our TOP THREE offerings from some musical masters.

First up is Natasha, who has a wonderful website Natashainoz.com  Natasha is from Australia and is a blogging superstar.

Her post deals with the psychology of music and is fascinating!

Next up is a composer, Brandon Nelson, with an original composition for choir...

Meditative Alleluia  

Chris Rowbury ends us on a light Note (hee) with a satirical piece in his great blog, 

From the Front of the Choir,

Why singing is bad for you 

(and 7 reasons why you shouldn’t stop doing it) 

We want to connect with other bloggers who love choral music.

Use our easy Linky tool to post your composition tips, singing techniques, ideas for the best recording venues and your fave choral videos.

Music related crafts, decor and recipes too!

Visit as many of these bloggers as possible and leave a quick comment like, "Hello! I love choral music too, and I hope you have a wonderful week!" I'd also love it if you could leave a comment here about this project.

Grab our Button

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Add your #LINK -- August #Linky party on NOW. TOP THREE from our June #Choral Love #Link-up http://t.co/pspvflrdYd
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) August 16, 2013

2013 Stairwell Caroller Auditions now on -- book now -- don't delay! Tenors and Basses only

               Our next round of auditions will be held at St. Columba church, 24 Sandridge, Ottawa, Ontario, consecutive Wednesdays Aug 21, Aug 28 and Sept. 4, 2013.

We are looking for Tenors and Basses. 

PLEASE RETWEET!

2013 Stairwell Caroller #Auditions now on -- book now -- don't delay! #Tenors and #Basses http://t.co/DWQ9H2n62T #choir #Ottawa
— Holly Massie (@HollyWroteit) August 14, 2013

Sorry girls, try us next year.

The Stairwell Carollers sing sacred and secular renaissance, medieval and selected contemporary choral pieces a cappella. Our director, Pierre Massie, has written many original works and arranged countless others, so our repertoire is unique. He also sings with us, within the tenor section, which allows the whole choir to have a more intimate and emotional connection to our audience in concert. 

The Stairwell Carollers began at Ottawa University, where I met Pierre in first year. My fate was determined that first Christmas season when he asked me to join him caroling in the residence stairwells.

Contact us  to set up your audition,  don't wait -- email Holly at info@stairwellcarollers.com

The Stairwell Carollers rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 9:00 at St. Columba Anglican Church, 24 Sandridge Rd. (Manor Park).  

For more information, visit www.stairwellcarollers.com.  

April is in My Mistress' Face -- Thomas Morley - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

Lonesome Gull

April is in My Mistress' Face, a #Renaissance #Madrigal by Thomas Morley #Ottawa http://t.co/OvyI78IZix #choral
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) August 13, 2013

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "April is in my Mistress' Face" by Thomas Morley (1557 -- 1602), an English composer, theorist, editor and organist of the Renaissance.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013. 

Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.

Editing: Pierre Massie

Come Again -- A Renaissance Madrigal by John Dowland - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

Painted Lady Butterfly on Rugosa Rose

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Come Again" by John Dowland (1563 -- 1626), an English Renaissance composer, singer, and lutenist.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
 
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
 
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Ah Robin, Gentle Robin -- A Renaissance Madrigal sung by Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers

Robin making a nest

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Ah Robin, Gentle Robin" by William Cornysh (1465 -- 1523), an Renaissance English composer, dramatist, actor, and poet.
Buy our CDs and Mp3s and help support local charities! 

This version of "Ah Robin, Gentle Robin" is available on our "Audite Nova" CD.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Kevin Millington.
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Jubilate Deo -- Orlande de Lassus - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Jubilate Deo" by Orlande de Lassus  (Orlandus Lassus, Orlando di Lasso, Roland de Lassus, or Roland de Lattre) (1532 - 1594), a Franco-Flemish composer of the late Renaissance.

Buy our CDs and help local charities! 

This version of "Jubilate Deo" is available on our Cantate Domino CD.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013. 

Videographers: Kevin Millington.

Video Editing: Pierre Massie

Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints by John Dowland

                 Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform madrigal "Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints" by Thomas Weelkes (1576 -- 1623) was an English Renaissance composer and organist.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.
Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.
Video Editing: Pierre Massie

I Love, Alas I Love Thee -- Thomas Morley - The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa choir

              Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "I Love, Alas I Love Thee" by Thomas Morley (1557 - 1602), an English composer, theorist, editor and organist of the Renaissance.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 1st, 2013.

Videographers: Valérie Auger-Voyer, Kevin Millington.

Video Editing: Pierre Massie

The Stairwell Carollers Win Best in Ontario, OMFA 2013 !

collage of rehearsal pics

      I am thrilled to announce that we have won the 2013 OMFA  Provincial Competition for amateur choirs in Ontario with our rendition of a 15th century Ave Maria and our director/composer Pierre Massie's original arrangement of Jesus Ahatonnia!

This is the second time that we have won the provincial Hon. Barbara A. Hagerman award. The first was in 2010 :)

Here is our 2013 Kiwanis win that led up to the award.

 How your choir can join in the fun

1. Compete at your local music festival -- ours was the National Capital Kiwanis Music festival. Follow the instructions carefully for choice of pieces, number of pieces and documents required, such as sheet music.

2. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!

 3. Okay, you attained Gold and were invited to the Provincials by the adjudicator .

4. You don't have to travel to either the Provincials or the Nationals with the choir to compete. You can make a recording with a representative of OMFA in attendance. She will  then take the recording directly to the competition. Don't forget to include all necessary scores and documentation as required by OMFA.

 TIP
We try to treat the recording like a regular rehearsal to relieve some stress. 

Have fun!

Holly