Music and Beyond Soirée at the National Gallery of Canada - a Euphonious Banquet!

The National Gallery Concerts -  PART ONE, The Rideau Chapel  

The National Gallery Concerts PART TWO - The Great Hall

We were invited to perform for Music and Beyond's National Gallery Soirée - held at the National Gallery of Canada - downtown Ottawa.

I had no idea what to expect. Yes, we have sung at the Gallery before, but never as part of a Festival. 

Exciting!

We were welcomed and given a schedule with a number of ten-minute singing spots in different spaces around the Gallery. 

We were escorted to our usual greenroom, which was very comforting. 

However, we didn't stay there long, before we were led into the dark underbelly of the Gallery. 

We were then bundled into a giant service elevator that closed with 10 foot high accordion folding metal doors. It gave us a one-way rough ride  to our singing locations.
 (most of us giggling as we watched the massive wall go by through the metal grate)

I felt a bit like an art installation being transported to my space.

Maggie, soprano, was more imaginative and said she felt like we were going down into the bowels of the Starship Enterprise. 

So, we sang in three locations -- two with Renaissance paintings - my favourite (both for the paintings and the acoustics!!)

 Our last few singing spots were in the Rideau Chapel.  

We have sung many times in the Chapel over the past ten years. If you aren't aware, it is an entire chapel that was to be demolished. Instead, it was disassembled and rebuilt within the National Gallery as a testament to its beauty.

So, it was an evening to remember! My only regret was that we didn't have the opportunity to hear and see more of the performers. There were so many and the few we saw, we had to rush by to our next spot. Not complaining, it was a rush to sing for such an appreciative audience (and there were lots of people in attendance!)

 It was one of those times I'd like to be in two places at once.

Here is the Facebook page for Music and Beyond where they have posted tons of great photos taken by their own photographers and submitted by members of the public. Check it out!

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.

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

Stairwell Carollers sing at 2017 National Gallery Soirée, TOMORROW - 7:00 to 10:00 P.M.

We will be singing at Music and Beyond's National Gallery Soirée, TOMORROW  (Tues. July 11th) from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

As you stroll through the Gallery you will encounter over 100 other musicians and musical groups, paired with each era and style of art form to elevate the aesthetic experience. 

We are thrilled to be involved with Music and Beyond and hope to see you there!

A musical way to help us fundraise is to listen to our  40th Fundraiser Playlists and YouTube will pay us forward!

DONATION UPDATE - $4577 !! 

THERE ARE MANY WAYS YOU CAN HELP US GET TO OUR $15,000 GOAL!

We have our easy on-line Donation page where every donation receives  a charitable tax receipt. Check out the thermometer to track the progress of the donations too!

If you love our music, support us by watching our YouTube Fundraiser Playlists or by making a donation.

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events for everyone! 

All Donations receive a charitable receipt.

20th Year for composition at National Gallery Soiree July 11th

The Stairwell Carollers will sing Qui Creavit Celum at Music and Beyond's National Gallery Soiree, Tues. July 11th 2017 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. The Stairwell Carollers will be performing throughout the Gallery along with over 100 other musicians,  blending visual art and music for strolling audience members.

Written 20 years ago for the choirs Premiere CD, Qui Creavit Celum is still a favourite of all of Pierre Massie's compositions.

The song recently received high praise from Music and Beyond's Executive Director, Julian Armour.


CD review from the Ottawa Citizen:

DECEMBER 1997                       

The Ottawa Citizen
Festive greetings from the Carollers

Qui creavit celum
Stairwell Carollers (independant)
Celebration is in the air of the Stairwell Carollers' first disc, and it's not just because of the festivities of the season. It's also the local choir's 20th anniversary and the CD marking that milestone is a success.
Impressive a cappella renditions of obscure and traditional Christmas carols are sung in French, English, German and Latin. The singing is impeccable for a small, amateur choir, but a big nod has to go to director Pierre Massie, who not only founded the ensemble but also produced the disc and composed the title track. Recorded in Ottawa's St. Columba Church by Ross Murray of Sound of One Hand Studios, the disc has a calm, complete sound that will make it a favourite with fans of choral Christmas music.

Here is our Youtube live concert version

We need your help to celebrate our 40th year of song in the Ottawa/Outaouais region.

Our on-line Donation page - every donation receives  a charitable tax receipt. The thermometer tracks the progress of the donations.

An enjoyable way to help us raise funds is to listen to our music on our YouTube channel.

If you listen to our 40th Fundraiser Playlists , YouTube will pay us forward! The videos in the playlists are monetized, so the choir gets reimbursed from YouTube when you watch and listen!

Please DONATE to support our 40th year events for our community! 

All Donations get a charitable receipt.

Stairwell Carollers at Music and Beyond Gallery Soiree July 11 !

 We are thrilled to announce that the Stairwell Carollers will be making an appearance at Music and Beyond's National Gallery Soiree, Tues. July 11th 2017 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

We will be performing throughout the Gallery along with over 100 other musicians, in a unique co-mingling of art and music.

DONATION UPDATE - MANY WAYS TO HELP US MAKE OUR $15,000 GOAL!

We want to celebrate our 40th year of song in the Ottawa/Outaouais region, so please consider helping us.

We have our easy on-line Donation page where every donation receives  a charitable tax receipt. Check out the thermometer to track the progress of the donations too!

An easy way to help us raise funds is to listen to our music on our YouTube channel.
Just listen to our 40th Fundraiser Playlists and let YouTube pay us forward! All the videos on the playlists are monetized, so the choir gets reimbursed from YouTube when you watch and listen!

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


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.