Friday, October 31, 2014

Our TOP 10 videos on YouTube -- #4 "Ay linda amiga"

Lonesone Gull
Number 4 on our TOP TEN YouTube videos,
"Ay linda amiga", a melancholy Madrigal about the pain of lost love.
Spanish lyrics and an English translation are HERE

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Ay linda amiga", a 16 century anonymous madrigal from Spain.


Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St-Charles Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada  June 8th, 2001.

Editing: Pierre Massie

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Our TOP 10 videos on YouTube -- #5 "Carol of the Bells"


twinkling lights on a tree in Center Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Number 5 on our TOP TEN YouTube videos
is an all-time favourite Christmas carol, "Carol of the Bells".
The lyrics are HERE

The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Carol of the Bells" by the famous composer, Anonymous, in a setting by Peter Wilhousky.

"Carol of the Bells" is recorded on "Qui Creavit Celum", the caroller's first Christmas CD.

All Stairwell Caroller CDs are available in both CD and MP3 format on our website.

The Stairwell Carollers are an a cappella Ottawa choir, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie. A non-profit organization, they raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Buy our CDs!!!  They make great Christmas gifts and they help local charities.

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Charles Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 18, 2009.

Editing: Pierre Massie

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Our TOP 10 videos on YouTube -- #6 "Past Three O'Clock" -- Charles Wood

Winters night and Steeple
Number 6 on our TOP TEN YouTube videos
is a splendid compilation carol, "Past Three O'Clock".
You can read the lyrics HERE

"Past Three O'Clock" -- by Charles Wood and arranged by William Llewellyn -- sung by the Stairwell Carollers,  an a cappella Ottawa choir, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie.

A non-profit organization, they raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.
This version of "Past Three O'Clock" is on our "I Saw A Swete Semly Syght" CD. 

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

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at their December 8th 2000 Christmas concert at St. Charles church, Ottawa, Canada..

Editing: Pierre Massie

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Our TOP 10 videos on YouTube -- #7 "Missa secunda" -- Hans Leo Hassler

Relief sculpture of Mary, St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa
Number 7 on our TOP TEN YouTube videos,
a Renaissance era Mass, "Missa secunda".
Latin lyrics and English Translation HERE

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Missa secunda"  by Hans Leo Hassler (1564 - 1612), a German composer and organist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque eras.

"Missa secunda" is available on our new sacred songs from the Renaissance CD, "Cantate Domino", released  October 2012. Available in both CD and MP3 format.

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

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

Monday, October 27, 2014

Our TOP 10 videos on YouTube -- #8 "The Wexford carol" arranged by John Rutter

Number 8 on our TOP TEN YouTube videos,
A John Rutter arrangement of "The Wexford carol".
You can read the lyrics HERE

The Stairwell Carollers perform The "Wexford Carol" arrangemant by John Rutter, at St Charles Church in Ottawa, On., Canada -- Christmas concert Dec 8, 2000.

This song is on Mourning Dove, the carollers third CD, produced to benefit local charity.

All our CDs are available in both CD and Mp3 formats.

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St Charles Church in Ottawa, On., Canada -- Christmas concert Dec 8, 2000.

Editing: Pierre Massie

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Our TOP 10 videos on YouTube -- #9 "Fine Knacks for Ladies" -- Dowland


Holly in Victorian wear for the Rideau Hall Skating party

Number 9 on our TOP TEN YouTube videos.
A fun and bouncy Renaissance Madrigal, 
"Fine Knacks for Ladies".

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Fine Knacks for Ladies", a renaissance madrigal by John Dowland (1563 --  1626).

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St-Charles Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 8th, 2001

Editing: Pierre Massie

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Our TOP 10 videos on YouTube -- #10 "Adoramus Te" -- Palestrina

Maple Leaf
Number 10 on our TOP TEN YouTube videos.
One of my favourite sacred Renaissance pieces, "Adoramus Te".
Song lyrics and an English translation are HERE

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "Adoramus te"by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525 or  1526 -- 1594) -- an Italian Renaissance composer of sacred music.

This version of "Adoramus te" is available on our new Sacred songs from the Renaissance CD, "Cantate Domino", released  October 2012,  in both CD and Mp3 formats.

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 18th, 2011.

Videographer: Zoe Hart.
Editing: Pierre Massie

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Da Capo - Stairwell Caroller History - Exciting news from Ronald McDonald House

Our first recording, "Christmas with the Stairwell Carollers"
$53,791 for Ronald McDonald House
Way back in 1985, our first recording was on vinyl and was aptly named "Christmas with the Stairwell Carollers". All this time, we thought the album made about $15,000 for the house.

We were wrong.

In a good way...

Cheryl Lavasseur, director of Manoir Ronald McDonald House recently dug through the archives in the basement and discovered that the album actually made $53,791!
The Stairwell Carollers with Ronald at Ronald McDonald House 1986

The Stairwell Carollers with guests at Ronald McDonald House 1986

The Stairwell Carollers pose with Ronald at Ronald McDonald House 1986

The Stairwell Carollers sing Christmas carols at Ronald McDonald House 1986

The Stairwell Carollers relax in the kitchen at Ronald McDonald House 1986

The house is an amazing resource for the families of sick children admitted to CHEO, and is located right next door to the hospital. They charge families only $10 per night with no obligation to pay even that small amount if they are not able.

FYI
McDonald's commits a large amount of money each year to the running of each House but it amounts to about 30% of what our Ottawa location needs. They depend heavily on community support.

Read more about the House.


Sunday, October 19, 2014

STILL can't wait for Christmas? Plan your concert-going now! Tickets available online

Christmas Candle centerpiece
The Stairwell Carollers 
 CONCERT SCHEDULE
CHRISTMAS SEASON 2014
O magnum mysterium


Friday, December 12th
Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa (ON), 7:30pm.



Wednesday, December 17th
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 online tickets for these two concerts.

    Choose a location.

    Instructions for your
    online purchase
  • Purchase tickets at the following locations...
    • Leading Note, 370 Elgin St., Suite No. 2
    • Compact Music, 206 & 785 1/2 Bank Street locations OR
    • Books on Beechwood, 35 Beechwood Ave.
    Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $20.

  • Other concert listings
    Friday, November 28th
    St. Thomas Anglican Church, 1619 Stittsville Main St, Stittsville, (ON), 7:30pm.


    Saturday, November 29th
    First Unitarian Congregation Ottawa, 30 Cleary Ave, Ottawa, (ON), 7:30pm.

    Saturday, December 6th
    Église du Sacré Coeur, 591 Cumberland St, Ottawa, (ON),7:30pm..

    Sunday, December 7th
    National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr Ottawa, 3pm, in the Garden Court..

    Thursday, October 16, 2014

    Don't miss out! BOOK YOUR AD in our Gorgeous 2014 Concert Program! Deadline November 3rd !

     Stairwell Carollers 2012 Concert season playbill cover (front and back)
    Corporations and Small Business owners -- Don't miss this excellent sponsorship opportunity!
                                  
    RESERVE YOUR AD NOW !
    The Stairwell Carollers concert playbill.  
    Any company or organization, or anyone wanting to promote an event or celebration, is more than welcome to request to purchase space in our concert booklet.   
    Be aware, however, our concerts are family friendly and we reserve the right to refuse ads or companies promoting gambling, drug paraphernalia or adult content.

    Book your ad for 2014 NOW.  
     Deadline November 3rd...
     
    WHY ADVERTISE IN OUR PLAYBILL? This one playbill serves FIVE evening concerts in  Ottawa and in Stittsville! 

    Our concerts are well attended and often sell out!

     
      Our 2014 Christmas season Playbill cover is printed on glossy stock in colour. 

     The interior is printed in black and white on standard stock. 
     
    The size is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (folded 8 1/2"x 11"). 

     
    Ads are mixed
    with concert info through the playbill to encourage viewing of sponsors ads.
     
    Ad Prices
    BUSINESS CARD ad = $75
    HALF PAGE ad = $1o0
    FULL-PAGE ad = $2o0
    INSIDE front or back COLOUR ad = $250
    BACK COVER COLOUR ad = $300

    Example Page


    Past years advertisers
    Campbell Douglas Keyboards - 1547 Merivale Road
    Clocktower Pub, 575 Bank Street
    CD warehouse
    Books on Beechwood
    Christopher Wheeler Heating & Cooling
    Great Books Great Gifts Ottawa U Book Store
    Lester's Barber Shop - 13 Beechwood
    Fraser Café - 7 Springfields at Beechwood
    New Edinburgh Pub
    Hampton Wellness Centre - 1419 Carling
    Ottawa Regional Youth Choir
    Farris-manning photography 
    Le Saint-Ô
    Campbell Douglas

     
    Charitable Contribution
    If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution to the choir in someone's memory, or have a Christmas message placed, you can either supply your own artwork which we will scan or we can do it for you. Please describe the look you would like (font, type of clip art) as best you can, with the proper wording for your message, and Holly will design it accordingly.

    Email info@stairwellcarollers.com  NOW to book your ad !
    *****************

    Our latest CD, CANTATE DOMINO - a selection of Renaissance Sacred choral pieces.
    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 area, you can purchase our CDs directly from choir members. 

    You can also buy them at Ottawa area stores, online, or at our live concerts.

    Can't wait for Xmas? Here are your Fave Christmas carols playlist -- Boo!

    October colours on Ottawa maple trees
    October colours on Ottawa maple trees
    The Stairwell Caroller men work on Suo Gan, a welsh Xmas Carol
    The Stairwell Caroller men work on Suo Gan, a welsh Xmas Carol

    Well, we're madly practicing our Xmas carols now, getting ready for the 2014 Christmas season! Here's a special playlist for all you who want to just skip over Hallowe'en and get right to it.




    Monday, October 6, 2014

    Tenor runs WILD for diversity! Donate now!


    One of our fine Tenors, David Rain,  is again running WILD for Diversity. 
    Support this worthwhile cause by visiting this website and donating generously. 
    The website is embedded below.

    Renaissance Fare -- Madrigals and Sacred songs of God and Earthly Love

    Yummy Fall Apples
    Gorgeous Fall Apples
    Here, for your Renaissance enjoyment, is a new playlist from the Stairwell Carollers, perveyor of acappella song of the highest order.

    24 uplifting songs recorded at the St. Barnabas Spring concert, June 1st, 2013, James Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

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



    Wednesday, October 1, 2014

    21 Unexpected Choir Photos

    Portrait of the photographer's good side
    OK, kids here's a Listicle for you, Choir-style. 
    Pic #1 
    Me not quite making it back before the shutter goes off. 
    Full story HERE

     #2
    Denyse gets her first Motorbike ride. Read more about it...
    A Soprano and a Bass on a Bike

     #3
    End of season celebration with my choir chums at the New Edinburgh Pub, Ottawa. Blog post to come once I decide which pics are not too self-incriminating.
    Choristers drinking and eating -- who knew??

     #4
    Door prizes at every Stairwell Caroller concert!  Read more about it here.
    A Tenors' proudest moment -- pulling the door prize

     #5
    Photo bombing -- the new pass-time of the young. 
    Selfies, the new pass-time of the ever so slightly older.
    A Tenor pushing his luck

     #6
    Maman, Ottawa's largest sculpture (I think) looms over Parliament Hill, outside of the National Gallery of Canada -- all while we sing our little hearts out in the gorgeous atrium. A favourite of ours during both Spring and Christmas seasons
    Our favourite venue is guarded by a giant Arachnid

     #7
    Singing Xmas carols in the Byward Market brought out the inner toque lovers in all of us.
    Nerd Choir

     #8
    With Tenors like these who needs enemas?
    That made no sense, but seemed funny in my head. 
    Tenors are special

     #9
    Morgan has gone through many hair evolutions since joining the choir. 
    Currently he sports the full beard so loved by hipsters the world over.
    Pete made an executive decision about his hair.
    Tenors have unique hair -- all or nothing

     #10
    A fly-by shot. Slight photo bombing and major paparazzi avoidance.
    More Tenor hair and a reticent Alto

     #11
    We sing in churches -- it was bound to happen
    The mighty Ghost Tenor

     #12
    NO ONE can ignore Keith when he wants attention
    Oh Yay Oh Yay Oh Yay -- in booming Bass tones

    #13
    The inevitable photo bombed selfie -- and they were all in on it. 
    And me trying hard to look all pretty
    What is it with Tenors? Wait, he was a Bass..

    #14
    What   Ever
    Sigh

     #15
    Recording a CD is a marathon.
    It takes a teen to give in and sleep face down on the ancient church floor runner.
    All tuckered out from recording

    #16
    Ha -- the choir has never seen this one -- I'm in trouble now
    Yoga Choir

    #17
    I'm pretending to sing, I don't know what everyone else is doing
    Zombie Choir
    #18
    We sang for the tree lighting ceremony, mentioned we had no supper, and they set up a table right in front of the governor generals office
    -- in center block -- Parliament Hill.
    Yes, the one with the airport style security now.
    Yes, I'm old now... and second from the right -- with lots of young choir hair.
    Eating Dinner in Center Block, Parliament Hill -- yes we did

    #19
    This was a record album
    It was Vinyl
    Yes, I'm old
    The Stairwell Carollers on Vinyl -- available on Ebay and in a second hand store near you

    #20
    I'm young here
    I'm not telling you what year this was
    At the National Arts Centre -- oh, yes, we did

    #21
    Rare Ancient Stairwell Caroller Photo from 1650 -- at the NAC

    'Nuff Said...


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