Away in a Manger - Arr: Sir David Willcocks - The Stairwell Carollers

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers perform "Away in a Manger” arranged by Sir David Willcocks.

This arrangement of "Away in a Manger” is on our New Christmas Carol CD, “O magnum mysterium”, now available online, at our concerts, and from individual members of the choir, (CD format only.)

"O magnum mysterium" Christmas CD

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

The carollers, an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, has earned the distinction of being ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competition. We are a non-profit organization, who raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Buy our CDs and help Ottawa/Gatineau charities reach their goals!!!

Visit our blog or our website for updates.


Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 12th, 2014.


Videographers: Gert-Jan van Heuzen, Kolin Casagrande, Sam Sloan


Editing: Pierre Massie

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" Came Upon a Midnight Clear" - Arr: A. Sullivan / D. Willcocks - The Stairwell Carollers

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers perform the Christmas Carol "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”, adapted by Arthur Sullivan with verse 4 arranged by Sir David Willcocks.

This arrangement of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” is on our New Christmas Carol CD, “O magnum mysterium”, now available online, at our concerts, and from individual members of the choir, (CD format only.)

"O magnum mysterium" Christmas CD

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

The carollers, an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, has earned the distinction of being ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competition. We are a non-profit organization, who raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Buy our CDs and help Ottawa/Gatineau charities reach their goals!!!

Visit our blog or our website for updates.


Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 12th, 2014.


Videographers: Gert-Jan van Heuzen, Kolin Casagrande, Sam Sloan


Editing: Pierre Massie

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"Once in Royal David’s City" - A.H. Mann & David Willcocks - Stairwell Carollers, YouTube video

Graham and David, tenors, photo, Suzanne Guibault

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers perform "Once in Royal David’s City”, arranged by A.H. Mann -- with the last verse arranged by Sir David Willcocks .

This version of "Once in Royal David’s City” is on our New Christmas Carol CD, “O magnum mysterium”,

-- now available online, at our concerts, and from individual members of the choir, CD format only.

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

The carollers, an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, has earned the distinction of being ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competition. We are a non-profit organization, who raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Buy our CDs and help Ottawa/Gatineau charities reach their goals!!!

Visit our blog or our website for updates.


Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 12th, 2014.


Videographers: Gert-Jan van Heuzen, Kolin Casagrande, Sam Sloan


Editing: Pierre Massie

Please leave a Comment and Share this post ;)

"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.

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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.

The Stairwell Carollers perform "Good King Wenceslaus”

Carolling on Sparks Street, Ottawa

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers perform "Good King Wenceslaus" arranged by Sir David Willcocks.

This version of "Good King Wenceslaus" will be on our "O magnum mysterium" CD to be released October 2015.

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

The carollers, an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, has earned the distinction of being ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competition. They are a non-profit organization, who raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Buy our CDs and help Ottawa/Gatineau charities reach their goals!!!Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 14th, 2013.
Videographers: Sébastien Lemay, Kevin Millington
Editing: Pierre Massie

"Gabriel’s Message” a traditional Basque Christmas carol

Memorial Candles

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers perform "Gabriel’s Message” -- a traditional Basque Christmas carol arranged by Sir David Willcocks.

The carollers, an a cappella chamber choir, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, has earned the distinction of being ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competition. They are a non-profit organization, who raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Buy our CDs and help Ottawa/Gatineau charities reach their goals and give a gift that gives twice!

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 14th, 2013.
Videographers: Sébastien Lemay, Kevin Millington
Editing: Pierre Massie

Ottawa choir performs "The Cherry Tree Carol” arranged by Sir David Willcocks

Cherub relief sculpture at StStephens church, Chelsea, Quebec

Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform "The Cherry Tree Carol” arranged by Sir David Willcocks.

The carollers, an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, has earned the distinction of being ranked amongst the best of Ontario choirs in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competition. They are a non-profit organization, who raise funds for local charities through concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Buy our CDs and help Ottawa/Gatineau charities reach their goals!!!

Visit our blog or our website for updates.

Audio: Tom Barnes. Recorded at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec 14th, 2013.
Videographers: Sébastien Lemay, Kevin Millington
Editing: Pierre Massie

Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day - The Stairwell Carollers

A pair of Painted Lady butterflies, dancing atop a fall cone-flower.

                         Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers perform "Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day". Traditional, arr: Sir David Willcocks.  The Carollers, an a cappella group, formed in 1977 by director Pierre Massie, is ranked among the best of Ottawa choirs by choral critics. We are a non-profit organization and raise funds for local charities through our concert, CD and cookbook sales.

Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day - The Stairwell Carollers #video stairwellcarollers.blogspot.ca/2012/10/tomorr… #choral #Christmas #choir
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) November 5, 2012

This version of "Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day" is on our Mourning Dove CD.

Our CDs are now available 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

Order our new CD, CANTATE DOMINO - a selection of Renaissance Sacred choral pieces. On Mp3 too!

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 - many available now as Mp3 downloads, 
 or at our live concerts.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing and We Wish You a Merry Christmas -- The Stairwell Carollers

Relief of "Mary and Child" at S. Barnabas Church, Ottawa

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "We Wish you A Merry Christmas" (an exclusive arrangement for The Stairwell Carollers by Sir David Willcocks) are performed by The Stairwell Carollers and the alumni on Dec 15, 2007 at their "30 Years of Song" concert.  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!!! These versions of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing & We Wish you A Merry Xmas" are available on our "Qui creavit celum" and our "I Saw a Swete Semly Syght"CDs respectively.

CHRISTMAS CAROL COUNTDOWN -- 15 TOP CAROLS - #15

Counting down from #15  "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"

"God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen" was audience choice #15 in our countdown. It was performed by The Stairwell Carollers on Dec 18, 2009 at their "Carols à la Carte" concert, where the audience got to choose their favorite 15 carols from a list of 25.

CHRISTMAS CAROL COUNTDOWN -- 15 TOP CAROLS - #14

# 14 "The First Nowell" arr: Sir David Willcocks

"The First Nowell" was audience choice # 14 in our countdown. It was performed by The Stairwell Carollers on Dec 18, 2009 at their "Carols à la Carte" concert, where the audience got to choose their favorite 15 carols from a list of 25.

I Saw Three Ships arr: Sir David Willcocks

St. Columba stained glass window Ottawa

 #11 "I Saw Three Ships" - arr: Sir David Willcocks 

I Saw Three Ships arr: Sir David Willcocks stairwellcarollers.blogspot.ca/2010/12/christ… #Christmascarol #Xmasmusic #choral #choirmusic
— Stairwell Carollers (@StairwellChoir) September 23, 2012

"I Saw Three Ships" was audience choice # 11 in our countdown. It was performed by The Stairwell Carollers on Dec 18, 2009 at their "Carols à la Carte" concert, where the audience got to choose their favorite 15 carols from a list of 25.   

CHRISTMAS CAROL COUNTDOWN -- 15 TOP CAROLS -- #10

# 10 "O Come All Ye Faithful" - arr:Bellefeuille/Willcocks/Llewellyn


"O Come All Ye Faithful" was audience choice # 10 in our countdown. It was performed by The Stairwell Carollers on Dec 18, 2009 at their "Carols à la Carte" concert, where the audience got to choose their favorite 15 carols from a list of 25.   

God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen - arr: Sir David Willcocks -- The Stairwell Carollers - YouTube

"God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen" was audience choice #15 in our countdown.

It was performed by The Stairwell Carollers on Dec 18, 2009 at their "Carols à la Carte" concert, where the audience got to choose their favorite 15 carols from a list of 25.

 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.
Our CDs make great Christmas gifts and they help local charities. 

The Infant King - Basque Noël, arr: Sir David Willcocks

"The Infant King" was performed live in concert by The Stairwell Carollers on Dec 18, 2009 at St. Charles Church in Vanier.

The Stairwell Carollers are an 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.