Pierre Massie directs The Stairwell Carollers, Ottawa's Premier Charitable choir, in an evening of choral beauty spanning the ages. This diverse evening of religious and secular a cappella songs includes contemporary pieces such as the award winning "Eya, eya gaudeamus" - composed by our director, Pierre Massie - and an arrangement of "Jerusalem" by Terry Brynaert, bass. Frank Ticheli's heart-wrenching "Earth Song" is a mere 15 years old. It cries out for peace in a time of war. Contrast this with Rob Dietz' 1999 "Hine ma tov", a joyous refrain in Hebrew that encourages us to 'behold, how good and how pleasant it is for people to dwell together in unity'.

A Renaissance swain may gather a group of singers to warble the transcendent piece by Thomas Morley, "I Love, Alas, I Love Thee" or "Margot labourez les vignes"- a traditional French ditty, playful and flirty. Imagine a cathedral today or in 1890, imbued with a choir's offering of Gabriel Faure's "O Domine" in spiritual bliss. Worship then, is still worship today. Madrigals and motets may be from another time but the same emotions and humanity remain true to us today.

June 6, 2026 will be The Stairwell Carollers 48th Spring Concert. We are preparing some truly extraordinary works from across time and space to share with you. Join us in sorrow, in joy, in celebration and reflection, as we bring to life music for all the times and places of mankind.