Audite Nova - Renaissance madrigals - CD or MP3

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#stairwellcarollers #ottawachoir #renaissancemusic #madrigal #cd and #digital #mp3 #download Net proceeds support #Ottawa #charity #fundraising #localmusic #choir #acappella #purchase at our homepage website link. 🎼❤️😲

A post shared by The Stairwell Carollers (@stairwell_carollers) on Feb 5, 2020 at 9:11am PST

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, we are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs. 
A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert tickets, CD and cookbook sales.  Since 1997 we have donated over $143,800 to local charities and scholarships.

Dec 18 Christmas concert last of the season for the Stairwell - St. Columba Church

Our 2019 Xmas donation of $2000 was presented to Cornerstone Housing for Women at our 7:30 pm December 14th concert at Southminster United Church.

Some lovely praise from Mark Holzman -
"Pierre - What a wonderful concert on Saturday night. Thank you for your community support over these many years and for choosing to donate to Cornerstone this year. The hard work and dedication shown by all the Stairwell Carollers is evident in the lovely music you all have composed, arranged, practiced and performed so beautifully. And how magical to see the transformation back to winter when we left the church! Attached are several photos of the presentation. Happy holidays to all. - Mark"

The concert was packed to the rafters with a wonderful audience! Even the choir loft was full! Thanks so much for a great night!

Reviews from The concert coming in -
"On Sunday I bumped into a couple of people who had attended the Dec 14th concert, and told me "how marvelous" it was.

Among many highly appreciative remarks were: How particularly they had enjoyed the piece "with all those various carols and yule songs in with the chant" (i.e., they meant "Christmas is...") and that they do hope that "Song of The Crib" will go onto the Carollers' next CD- "it was so beautiful".

Keith, Bass"

Cornerstone has shared with us the impact that donations like ours will have:

“Almost 1,000 women become homeless in Ottawa every year.

“Thanks to the support of our partners, donors, and friends, Cornerstone Housing for Women helps two hundred women every 
day, and nearly five hundred women each year transform their lives from crisis to hope, housing, and healing.

“We are the only Ottawa shelter and housing charity uniquely tailored to women that have experienced homelessness.

“We offer emergency shelter and supportive housing at five locations, and an outreach program. We give professional and 
spiritual care to a diversity of women. With support, women can transform their lives and have a fresh start.”

To hear some of the best Christmas music in Ottawa - click here to get your tickets to our final concert of the season on Wed Dec 18th, only $15 in advance.

By purchasing your ticket, you provide us with the funds to work towards our 2020 donation to another local charity. Thank you!

This brings our total giving to local charities plus music scholarships to students to just under $145,000.  This is the second time the choir has donated to Cornerstone – the first was in 2001 – and we are proud to be able to continue to support their important work.

David Rain

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, we are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs. 
A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.  Since 1997 we have donated over $144,000 to local charities and scholarships.

Cornerstone Housing for Women to receive Caroller's 2019 Christmas Gift of $2000

The Stairwell Carollers are excited to announce that our 2019 Xmas donation of $2000 will be presented to Cornerstone Housing for Women at our 7:30 pm December 14th concert at Southminster United Church!

Cornerstone has shared with us the impact that donations like ours will have:

“Almost 1,000 women become homeless in Ottawa every year.

“Thanks to the support of our partners, donors, and friends, Cornerstone Housing for Women helps two hundred women every 
day, and nearly five hundred women each year transform their lives from crisis to hope, housing, and healing.

“We are the only Ottawa shelter and housing charity uniquely tailored to women that have experienced homelessness.

“We offer emergency shelter and supportive housing at five locations, and an outreach program. We give professional and 
spiritual care to a diversity of women. With support, women can transform their lives and have a fresh start.”

To see the presentation of the donation to Cornerstone - and hear some of the best Christmas music in Ottawa - click here to get your tickets, only $15 in advance:

By purchasing your ticket, you provide us with the funds to work towards our 2020 donation to another local charity. Thank you!

This brings our total giving to local charities plus music scholarships to students to just under $145,000.  This is the second time the choir has donated to Cornerstone – the first was in 2001 – and we are proud to be able to continue to support their important work.

David Rain

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, we are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs. 
A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert, CD and cookbook sales.  Since 1997 we have donated over $144,000 to local charities and scholarships.

"United in Song" Stairwell Caroller concert in Arnprior May 5th, 2018

St. John Chrysostom balcony Arnprior, Photo - J. Robert Macdonnell  DESIGNER FOR LITURGICAL SPACE

We are thrilled and excited that our first concert of the Spring 2018 season will be in a glorious venue. As you can see in the photo above, Saint John Chrysostom was beautifully renovated by J. Robert Macdonnell  DESIGNER FOR LITURGICAL SPACE and we will all feel blessed to sing in this space May 5th!

You can see more details about the complete renovation HERE.

40th Anniversary Concerts - Spring 2018

"United in Song"

Saturday, May 5th 8:00pm

St. John Chrysostom Church, 295 Albert St, Arnprior

with guest choirs from Glebe Collegiate 

and guest soloist Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor 

from the world renowned a cappella group Chanticleer.

For Saturday, May 5th ONLY advance tickets $15 

• ONLINE from CANADA HELPS
• Purchase tickets at Glebe Collegiate Music Dpt, 212 Glebe Ave
• Purchase tickets from choir members
• Other locations in Arnprior will be posted soon..
• Tickets at the door are $20.

"Eya, eya, gaudeamus"
Saturday June 2nd 7:30pm  

Church of St. Barnabas, 70 James Street, Ottawa

For Saturday June 2nd ONLY advance tickets $15 

• ONLINE from CANADA HELPS
• Leading Note, 370 Elgin St., Suite No. 2
• Compact Music, 206 & 785 1/2 Bank Street locations
• Books on Beechwood, 35 Beechwood Ave.
• Tickets at the door are $20.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, May 27th, 2:30pm

St. Martin's Anglican Church

2120 Prince Charles Road, Ottawa, ON

Please contact St. Martin's for ticket purchase info.

About The Carollers:

Pierre Massie began our a cappella choir, The Stairwell Carollers, back in 1977 while studying in the French music program at U. of O. We are ranked with the best of Ontario choirs, having won the 2010 and 2013 OMFA competitions. 

A registered Canadian charity, we help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales. 
Net proceeds go to charity.

Please DONATE to help make our 40th year workshops happen! 

CC Podcast S. 2 #8 - Play Ball! Bat 1000 in your Spring vocal warmups

We're all on hold waiting and wanting the spring flowers to appear. Our new singing season starts and it's a whole new ballgame - 40th, contemporary, Canadian!

Personally, I can't wait to see the first flowers pop up through the snow.

It's early innings in our rehearsals and there are still songs to learn and skills to hone.

So, for our Choral Cacophony Podcast Season 2 Number 8, here's a fresh warmup that covers all the bases.

Chapter 1 - Warmup begins with vowels and mouth positioning - Pierre leads the vocalization with semitone changes.

Chapter 2 - Arpeggios on vowels until it hurts :P

Chapter 3 - Scales on Do - using movable Do hand signs. Two groups - one for each hand. Alto and Bass - Soprano and Tenor. Challenging harmonies.

The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie began our a cappella choir 40 years ago, in 1977,  while he was a music student at Ottawa U. 

The Stairwell Carollers are now 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. Net proceeds benefit charity.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year workshops! 

Fa una canzone - Italian Madrigal - Youtube live concert video

Woo Hoo - it's March 1st!!

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, sing Fa una canzone by Orazio Vecchi - an Italian composer of the late Renaissance.

A madrigal all about singing - which Pete and I have been doing since we met -- check out our wedding pic above!

You can own it too - Fa una canzone is on our Renaissance Madrigal CD “Audite nova” 

Fa una canzone English translation  (thanks to CPDL)

"Write a song with no black notes
If you ever wanted my favour
Write it so that it will bring me to sleep
Make it end sweetly, sweetly.

Don't put any harshness into it
Because my ears are not used to that
Write it so that ...

Don't write numbers, or counterpoint
This is my main design
Write it so that ...

Using this style lucky Orpheus
Managed to pacify Proserpina, down under
Write it so that ...

This is the style which sweetly appeased
Saul's fierce spirit!
Write it so that ..."   CPDL

Our professional recordings are well-reviewed and available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats. Net proceeds benefit charity.

Subscribe to our Youtube channel to watch our more than 270 videos. New vids coming soon!

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 4th, 2016.

Videographers: Luc Nugent and Kolin Casagrande.

Editing: Pierre Massie.
Photos: Holly Massie.

About The Stairwell Carollers:

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

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

 DONATE to support our 40th Anniversary workshops! 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel Now - Un jour vis un foulon - Madrigal

Here's a fun madrigal to make you smile. Un jour vis un foulon is a late Renaissance Madrigal by Orlando di Lasso a Netherlandish or Franco-Flemish composer.

Un jour vis un foulon is on our “Audite nova” CD.
Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 4th, 2016.
Videographers: Luc Nugent. Kolin Casagrande
Editing: Pierre Massie

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie began our a cappella choir way back in 1977 while studying music at Ottawa U. 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. Net proceeds benefit charity.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year workshops! 

Esto les Digo, performed by the Stairwell Carollers, Youtube concert video

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, sing Esto les Digo, a Sacred contemporary piece, written by Kinley Lange.

Here is a link to the sheet music.

You tube live concert video of this beautiful Spanish language song

Audio: Tom Barnes.  Recorded at St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 4th, 2016.
Videographers: Luc Nugent. Kolin Casagrande
Editing: Pierre Massie

Photos: Holly Massie

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie began our a cappella choir way back in 1977 while studying music at Ottawa U. 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. Net proceeds benefit charity.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year workshops! 

John Rutter Youtube Playlist of Stairwell Caroller performances PLUS HOW TO EMBED YOUTUBE VIDS

A thrilling event coming up in the spring besides Stairwell Caroller concerts is John Rutter's visit to Ottawa. Our director, Pierre, has always had a soft spot for Rutter's work - thus, we have been singing Rutter's compositions and arrangements for many years now.

Here is a Youtube playlist I made of some of the pieces the Stairwell Carollers have sung by the British master composer, John Rutter.
Enjoy!

YouTube - like everything has changed. There used to be an option on the playlist page to embed a playlist, but that seems to have disappeared in the change-up. If you found it please tell me in a comment below. They now have a tiny tutorial HERE to embed videos and playlists. I couldn't make it work, so I went to my old embeds to find a simpler path.

Check out the code below, which is sized exactly like our playlist embedded above.

Simply replace OUR ID (in RED) with the ID of YOUR playlist. Copy and paste into your blog or website HTML. You can adjust the size simply by changing the height and width values (another option no longer available on YouTube)

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLrLOtu8KN9cVBbcvJRJOuIwr08vOBYaDp
" width="750"></iframe>

Please comment below - I would love to hear of your success with my work-around.

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.

Presenting our NEW LIVE CD for Christmas 2017

This collection of carols started as a tiny gem of a thought.

For many years now, Tom Barnes has recorded our live concerts for us. His work is impeccable and after every season we would have this treat of  being able to hear our season at our leisure.

Pete uses these raw recordings to produce our YouTube videos.

End of story.
Or not.

Our 40th committee had an idea; why not take the Christmas concert recordings and see if our pro sound engineer, Jay Fee, could combine the best of them into a LIVE CD of Christmas Carols.

I had no idea it would sound SO BEAUTIFUL!

When the first edit came back to hear, I was in tears. New versions of favourite Xmas songs we sang in concert, NOT ON ANY OF OUR OTHER CDS, are now preserved and presented in the highest quality on a professionally produced CD.

Includes the Newly composed Rideau Carol in a recording debut for composer and tenor, David Rain!

The quality is right up there with our other Christmas CDs and we are very proud that we can present Adeste Fideles LIVE to our audience for purchase!

Our new graphics guru, Terry, envisioned and produced a glorious CD cover and interior.
Now available for pre-order Online and will be on our CD table at our upcoming concerts.

Order now at the low price of $10.00 
plus shipping and handling

Carols list:

01    Adeste fideles - arr: Pierre Massie
02    Myn lyking - arr: R. Terry, P. Massie
03    Berger, secoue ton sommeil profond - Traditional french
04    Do You Hear What I Hear - arr: Pierre Massie
05    The Shepherd's Carol - Bob Chilcott
06    Allons, bergers, partons tous - arr: Richard Terry
07    Stille Nacht/Silent Night - arr: Pierre Massie
08    Rideau Carol - David Rain
09    Cherry Tree Carol - arr: Sir David Willcocks
10    Riu, riu, chiu - Spanish villancico
11    Away in a Manger - arr: Sir David Willcocks
12    Le bel Ange du Ciel - arr: Lucien Deiss
13    Balulalow - arr: Peter Warlock
14    Un flambeau Jeanette, Isabelle - arr: Pierre Massie
15    Ave Maria - Franz Biebl
16    Gower Wassail - Robert Frederick Jones
17    Gabriel's Message - arr: Sir David Willcocks
18    Dans le silence de la nuit - arr: Pierre Massie
19    El Rorro - arr: Je ffery Van
20    Patapan - arr: Pierre Massie
21    Up! Good Christian Folk, and Listen - arr: George R. Woodward
22    Sussex Carol - arr: Sir David Willcocks, Pierre Massie


Please DONATE to support our 40th year events! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

A registered Canadian charity, we also help local charities with our concerts and CDs !

The Stairwell Carollers:

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

The BEST Christmas Carol Music CDS and MP3s are available online right here!

Fundraising Update - Thank You - with your help, we will get there!

UPDATE!! 

With generous donors, our 40th fundraising total is now at $8,077!

We have our easy on-line Donation page where every donation receives  a charitable tax receipt. There's a way cool thermometer to track the progress of the donations too!

We have to reach $15,000 to be able to do everything we want to celebrate our 40th year of song in the Ottawa/Outaouais region, so please consider helping us reach our goal!

Another easy and fun way to help us raise funds is to listen to our music on our YouTube channel.
Pierre has been working overtime to get new videos up and I assembled some 40th Fundraiser Playlists. (Thanks for the great idea, Rae!)

When you listen to our 40th Fundraiser Playlists ,YouTube pays us forward!

All the videos in the 40th fundraiser playlists are monetized, so the choir gets reimbursed from YouTube when you watch and listen!

 Here's our 40th Fundraiser Madrigal Playlist to start.

If you love our music, please consider supporting us, by watching our YouTube Fundraiser Playlists and by making a donation.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events for everyone! 
All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

Check out The Stairwell Pinterest Boards!

Follow Stairwell Carollers on Pinterest!

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events for everyone! 
All Donations receive a charitable receipt.