Ottawa Choir – The Stairwell Carollers
More than 45 years of charitable song in Canada’s Capitol
Photos by Holly Massie & Drew Gragg – All rights reserved
The Stairwell Carollers, an a cappella Ottawa choir, sing sacred and secular music from all eras, as well as settings of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols.
Photos, Holly Massie (unless otherwise noted) – all rights reserved
Placing FIRST in the OMFA 2010 and 2013 Provincials and SECOND in the 2010 FCMF Nationals, they are ranked amongst the best of Ottawa choirs and have provided $146,319 in scholarships and donations to local charities.
Director, Pierre Massie, has composed many original pieces for the choir, as well as creating lively and contemporary arrangements of traditional carols.
One of his original carols, “Mourning Dove”, caught the ear of Canada’s Dominion Carillonneur, Dr. Andrea McCrady, via YouTube. She performed “Mourning Dove” on the Peace Tower Carillon at 12:00 noon, and again at 3:00 pm, Monday Dec 17th. (http://stairwellcarollers.blogspot.ca/2012/12/pierre-massie-composition-mourning-dove.html) and again in her summer program for 2014. She continues to perform his music to this day.
Recording a CD — Cantate Domino — Part 1 – RAIN (2012)
Recording a CD — Cantate Domino — Part 1 – RAIN
Six sessions — that’s all it took.
Six grueling, hours-long, standing in place — awaiting the passage of rain, cars, trucks and airplanes — recording sessions.
Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen – Youtube Video
Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen, arrangement by David Rain. Premiere performance was at the Stairwell Carollers 40th anniversary concert, “An all Canadian Christmas”.
Ach, weh des Leiden – YouTube video – Guest, Gabriel Lewis-O’Connor
Ach, weh des Leiden, a sorrowful German Renaissance madrigal by Hans Leo Hassler, is performed by The Stairwell Carollers and guest, Gabriel Lewis-O’Connor.
Il Bianco e Dolce Cigno – live concert – YouTube video
This version of Il bianco e dolce cigno is on our “Audite nova” recording. All our recordings benefit charities and are available on our website in both CD and MP3 formats.
Plan Ahead! Christmas Gifting – CDs and MP3s For Choral Lovers
Buy Stairwell Caroller Christmas carol CDs and MP3s directly from the choir and through our Official Stairwell Carollers Square online store!
Net proceeds benefit local charities.
Au joli jeu, a Spicy Madrigal – on YouTube AND Spotify – In Person Auditions August 24th!
Ottawa choir, The Stairwell Carollers, perform Au joli jeu by Clément Jannequin. This version of Au joli jeu is on our Audite nova recording. All our music benefits local charities and our albums are available to buy on our Square store in both CD and MP3 formats....