The Stairwell Carollers remember Gord Atkinson - a Bright Ottawa Light Winks Out

 We were so very sad to learn of the passing of Gord Atkinson - long time mentor and friend to The Stairwell Carollers - Monday, April 26, 2021. He will be sorely missed. 

So many memories...

Our connection to Gord began in 1984 when his wife Elaine heard us carolling at Bayshore Shopping Centre. Right there, he invited us to sing LIVE on CFMO for their Christmas Exchange Telethon. Before the broadcast, he asked "what should I call you folks - what's the group's name?" 

We didn’t HAVE a name. 

After an awkward moment Dawn (soprano) piped up -- "The Stairwell Carollers".  I was dumbstruck. It was perfect. Our new name was forever cast in radio history as Gord introduced us for the first time ever over the airwaves.  

(I wish I had a photo - the pic below is from a later Christmas exchange broadcast from the Ottawa Citizen building)

Gord claimed us as his "Discovery", welcoming us into his musical cadre alongside Paul Anka, Elvis and Rich Little. We sang for The Christmas Exchange Broadcast on CFMO and CFRA for many years and were even treated to a wee float with our name on it in the 1987 Santa Claus parade . 

Pierre and I kept in touch with both Gord and Elaine, always looking forward to their Christmas card newsletter, always with a special note added just for us.

In 1986, Gord and CFMO produced our first recording, a vinyl album which raised over $53,000 for Ronald MacDonald House.

Gord and Elaine attended many of our concerts and, though he always said he was just a fan, we knew better. Gord Atkinson provided the choir countless opportunities that led to the professional development of The Stairwell Carollers.

He had the most generous heart. I miss him from the bottom of mine.

We send our sincere condolences to his wife Elaine and their family at this difficult time.

Gord Atkinsons Obituary : https://ottawacitizen.remembering.ca/obituary/gordon-atkinson-1082194642

 

CTV news https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/legendary-ottawa-radio-broadcaster-gord-atkinson-dies-at-94-1.5402971

Global news https://globalnews.ca/news/7813330/ottawa-radio-gord-atkinson-obituary/

Ottawa Citizen https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/egan-from-bing-to-the-king-radio-man-gord-atkinson-had-legendary-career

"One Last Song" - Remembrance Day - Lest We Forget - Youtube video

Here is a video I made using simple rehearsal audio from our dress rehearsal for our St. Bartholomew concert last spring. The song is called "One Last Song" and is written by Contemporary Irish composer, Michael McGlynn. The rendition is a bit rough -- it is a rehearsal, but still has a lonesome beauty in the men's pure raw voices.

Below is a quote from Michael McGlynn's Facebook Page for his choir, Anúna, explaining his inspiration to compose this song:

"I don't sing solo very much anymore, and this is probably the hardest piece to sing for me as I wrote it for a special old soldier. I had two Great Grandfathers who joined the British Army in the Great War, one a Private, the other a Farrier. Times were terribly hard in Ireland and it was a way out of poverty for so many."

Remembrance day is this Saturday, so I think it's fitting. - dedicated to those who sacrificed for our freedom...
Audio: The choir's Sony recorder :)
Photos: Holly Massie

From the Legion's official website, two important videos:

The Legion's Virtual Wall of Honour and Remembrance and Two Minutes of Silence.
FYI, There is no sound to these videos.

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 help local charities with our concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Please DONATE to for our 40th year events! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

In Remembrance - a contemporary Canadian work - YouTube

Our newest download on Youtube is a personal favourite from our St. Barnabas Spring 2016 concert.

"In Remembrance" is a gorgeous contemporary composition by Eleanor Daley, a Canadian composer of choral music.

The words are from the poem,  "Do not stand at my grave and weep" by Elizabeth Frye.

This was a poignant song for both myself and Pete. It was the poem we chose for my Mother's funeral service back in 2010. It takes a lot of focus to sing it, but reminds me of her kindness and her gentle personality.

Mom was our biggest fan, attending concerts until she could no longer go out. I hope you love listening to this song as much as I love singing it.


We are an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie. The Stairwell Carollers have been ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions.

A non-profit organization, the Stairwell Carollers chorus raises funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

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

"O Magnum Mysterium" CD dedicated to the memory of Sir David Willcocks

O Magnum Mysterium CD back with song list

As mentioned in a previous post, we decided, on Sir David's passing, to dedicate our new Christmas CD in his memory. We will be announcing this at all our concerts. Unfortunately, the CD was already printed when Sir David Willcocks passed away, so we could not get the dedication printed on it.

O Magnum Mysterium CD booklet

Three of the songs on the CD are Sir David Willcocks arrangements -- as you can see in this shot of the booklet.

You can purchase copies directly from us here.

You can hear tracks samples here http://www.stairwellcarollers.com/MP3s8.html

All proceeds from our music help local charity.

Please leave a Comment and Share this post ;)

Mentorship from across the sea - In Memory of a choral master, Sir David Willcocks

Sir David Willcocks arrangement for The Stairwell Carollers

The news that Sir David Willcocks has passed on is such a loss to the choral world. We, as a choir, are saddened by the fact that we had never meet him in person, but will always treasure the exclusive arrangement of "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" that he wrote for The Stairwell Carollers. It is included on our "I saw a swete semly syght" Christmas CD.

We are dedicating our new Christmas CD, "O magnum mysterium" and this year's Christmas singing season to the memory of Sir David Willcocks -- teacher, choral director and arranger and inspiration to the music world.

Our director, Pierre, has always strived for Great Britain's "boy's choir" sound. Our most important influencers were always Sir David Willcocks and John Rutter. He has a special fondness for their music. Over the years, both master choral directors learned of our choir and our recorded works and sent Pierre congratulations and postcards.

We subsequently recorded many of their pieces.

Postcard to Pete from John R.

Here is a playlist of choral arrangements by Sir David that we have sung in concert and uploaded to YouTube. I hope it gives a taste of the creativity and beauty inherent in his choral arrangements.

For Remembrance Day, November 11th, 2013

Photo by Holly Massie

Remembering those we lost to war. 

"A Pittance of Time" by Terry Kelly.

For #RemembranceDay, November 11th, 2013 http://t.co/PoRSWPIYIr #ShowYouRemember
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) November 11, 2013

Photo by Holly Massie

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

For Remembrance day and our Vets -- two beautiful videos

Here are some more ways to REMEMBER and honour our Vets...

A new season -- and some new singers in the Stairwell!

Stairwell Caroller 2011 Christmas concert at The National Gallery, Ottawa, On.

       This year rang many changes...

Josée as MC during her hiatus from the Carollers

Two former Stairwellers came back to record our latest CD, Cantate Domino (also our first recording of Sacred music from the Renaissance) and we are thrilled that Josée is staying on to enrich the alto section. 

A new season -- and some new #singers in the Stairwell! stairwellcarollers.blogspot.ca/2012/11/a-new-… #choir #choral #Christmas #Ottawa
— Holly Massie (@HollyWroteit) November 6, 2012

A few of us altos

Joseph, tenor

Joseph, new to Canada from Belgium, has joined the tenor section. Joseph is fluent in a number of languages, has a smooth tenor voice and his winning smile really suits our style. 

(That's the closest to Rap I will ever get.)  

Graham, tenor

Another new tenor and youngest Stairweller this year is Graham, one of Pete`s music students.  

Denyse giving Rebecca some pointers

Rebecca

A new addition to the Soprano section is Rebecca, here getting lots of advice and help from Denyse.

Paul, being Paul -- brought his own Santa flag

In June, we tragically lost a dear friend and fellow Stairwell Caroller, Paul Churchill. What you may not know is that Paul had auditioned a number of years ago. When he returned last year, Pete welcomed him on board. We all looked forward to many years sharing both his friendship and unique contribution to the choir. 

Sadly, fate had a different plan. Paul's voice is immortalized on Cantate Domino and the first thought we all had was to dedicate it to his memory.

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 region, purchase our CDs directly from choir members. 
Email us anytime at info@stairwellcarollers.com

You can also buy our CDs at Ottawa area stores,  
online - available now as Mp3 downloads, 
 or at our live concerts.

Paul Churchill photos - courtesy of Ferris-Manning Photography

The Stairwell Carollers Copyright Ferris-Manning Photography

             Peter Ferris-Manning of Ferris-Manning Photography has graciously allowed us to share this selection of photos he took of the Stairwell Carollers at our 2011 National Gallery concert. He was  at the Mondial concert in Laval last weekend and is shocked and saddened by the suddenness of Paul's passing. Peter expresses his condolences for Paul's friends and family with the hope that these photos will be of some comfort. Fell free to copy and share them.

The Stairwell Carollers Copyright Ferris-Manning Photography

In Memorium, Paul Churchill, a lovely man who will be sorely missed...

Yesterday, the world lost a beautiful tenor voice.

Paul Churchill, tenor with the Stairwell Carollers

Monday, June 25th, Paul Churchill was taken from us.

We are all still in shock and cannot believe we have lost him.

Paul was  warm and intense, hilarious yet at times passionately serious, self-deprecating and generous. His sense of humour was irreverently fresh and funny.

Heading off to do Xmas  caroling in the Byward Market

This past Sunday, on the way to and from the choir's performance at Mondial in Laval, Paul kept his carpool mates entertained. Andrea says his stories of his children and how proud he was of them, interspersed with  outrageous anecdotes and observations, was typically "Paul" -- in high spirits as usual.

The concert was fun -- short and sweet, with a wonderfully receptive audience. Paul clearly had a blast at his final concert with the Stairwell Carollers.

We will miss him more than I can express here. We all had our own friendships with him, each as different and varied as Paul's own personality. Thus, I can only speak of our relationship. It was one of winks and grins across the circle in rehearsals, double entendre remarks right before performances, and deep serious discussions about the educational system. He was great at diffusing tension with humour and amused us with his "bon mots" during rehearsal.

Paul being Paul -- note the hat

His respect for our choir's director was complete, for he worked harder than anyone to improve his technique and follow Pierre's suggestions in rehearsal.

Paul's beautiful voice has been immortalized on our upcoming Sacred CD, Cantate Domine, which will be dedicated to his memory.

Details of the service for Paul 

Portulaca from my garden

A memorial service for Paul is planned for Tuesday July 3 at 10 AM to take place at Capital Memorial Gardens, 3700 Prince of Wales Drive. The Stairwell Carollers will be there to sing a tribute to Paul.

Legacy guestbook for Paul with the Ottawa Citizen

Online memorial by the Nepean Minor Hockey association 

InMemoriam.ca  with the St. John's Telegram

Stairwell Carollers memorial to Paul in this Blog

Mary Honeywell School Council memorial to Paul

Paul's Facebook page is also filling up with memories and tributes. I will not link to it, since it is a more personal memorial.

"A Pittance of Time"-- Written and Performed by Terry Kelly

 for Remembrance and in tribute to the fallen

This video and the story of why he wrote this song is so moving. Visit Terry Youtube site for the full story.

All photos copyright Holly Massie, all rights reserved.

Condolences to long-time Stairweller, Denyse, on the loss of her beloved sister, Madeleine

Rosebud

We were very sad to hear that Denyse Mageau's sister, Madeleine Bellefeuille (née Mageau), was not well and sadly, yesterday she lost her battle to stay with us. The whole choir is thinking about you today, Denyse. We all love you.

Friends are invited to visit at the St.Laurent Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 1200 Ogilvie Road at Aviation Parkway on Saturday, July 16, 2011 from 2 p.m. until Service in the Chapel at 4 p.m.The full notice is here.

Former Stairweller memorialized in Ottawa Citizen

We were all sad to see the passing of former Stairwell Caroller Bass Anthony Johansen. A lively, spirited person, he was a member of the group from 1996 to 1999. 

His voice is immortalized on our first CD, Qui Creavite Celum..

Here is his Life Story "A love of the sea and of life" as published in today's Citizen:

Submitted b y David Rain