Choral Cacophony Podcast #18 - A Spanish Carol, Deconstructed

As I said in Podcast #16, En El Portal de Belen is a lively and fun Puerto Rican Christmas carol that we have really loved singing for a couple of years now. Yes, you will hear it at our Final concert for the 2017 Christmas season coming up THIS WEDNESDAY - Dec 20th.

Our final concert of 2017! 

Come hear the Stairwell Carollers sing “A Canadian Christmas” WEDNESDAY December 20th at St. Columba Anglican Church 24 Sandridge Rd, , Ottawa, (ON), 7:30pm.

The Stairwell Carollers were proud to present a special 40th anniversary donation of $3,000 to the Shepherds of Good Hope on the 15th - a result of their first ever “Sponsor a Song” fundraising campaign.

Tickets are $20 at the door, 

 $15 in advance at 

http://www.stairwellcarollers.com/Concerts.html; 

The Leading Note, 370 Elgin St; 

Compact Music, 206 & 785 ½ Bank St locations; 

Books on Beechwood, 35 Beechwood Ave.

Hope to see you at St. Columba on WEDNESDAY evening!On to the Podcast for this week:

Chapter 1 - Director Pierre works on fine details and accents to improve the dynamics of the performance.
Chapter 2 - Pierre focuses on sopranos and altos intonation, pronunciation and singing together.
Chapter 3 - the tenors and basses practice their solo section at a slower speed to work pronunciation. Then again faster. Then everyone.
Chapter 4 - Pierre discusses the interesting high harmonies for the men and Christoph asks a question.
Chapter 5 - The whole song.  And at the end, a wee blooper.  Solos happen :)

I couldn't mention this carol again without trying to facilitate some help for the people of Puerto Rico because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. This Christmas season will be very different and a real challenge for the survivors to keep their Christmas spirit alive.

Here are a few ways you can help The people of Puerto Rico have a merrier Christmas:

The direct link to FEMA - lots of great advice about how to help.
United for Puerto Rico
National voluntary organizations active in disaster

And here is our live concert video of En El Portal de Belen on our You tube Channel...

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events ! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie started our a cappella choir in 1977 while a music student at Ottawa University. The Stairwell Carollers are ranked with the best of Ontario choirs, winning both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. 

A registered Canadian charity, we also help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales.