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        Stephen Leek

        Freelance Australian Composer/Conductor Stephen Leek has long associations with some of the finest and most innovative choirs around the world including Gondwana Voices (Australia), the Tapiola Children’s Choir (Finland), Kamer…Choir (Latvia), The Formosa Singers (Taiwan), and his own choirs, vOiCeArT and The Australian Voices, that he co-founded and conducted for 16 years until 2009. As a conductor, Leek is in demand to work as guest conductor around the globe. As a composer he writes in his own distinctive contemporary style. His works, which have broad appeal and are performed by a wide selection of choirs throughout the world. He has been commissioned by some of the leading choral groups world-wide. Having written 13 operas, numerous orchestral and chamber works, music for education and dance, yet, Leek is often credited as the “founder of Australian choral music” through his composition of over 700 innovative choral works which explore a uniquely “Australian” colour and texture. A Churchill Fellow, Leek has received many national and international awards including the prestigious “Robert Edler International Choral Prize” for his contribution to the development of global choral music. He is currently Vice President of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM), and in 2012/13, was the Artistic Director of the Shanghai Youth Choir and in 2015, Conductor of the Asia Pacific Youth Choir. Whilst undertaking the role of Artistic Director/Manager of the Young Music Society in Canberra, he continues to pursue his hectic freelance activities throughout the world.

        Works

        Title Description Composer Voicing

        Black Children

        #MM0901

        Suitable for elementary or high school use. The score is a blueprint which simply indicates basic material with which the choir can work. The choir and conductor are encouraged to make major decisions concerning their performance and the result is lots of fun!

        Black Swana

        #MM0407

        From the Torres Strait Islands north of Australia’s Cape York comes a beautiful song which depicts the progress of the ship Black Swana as it glides across the sea. Recording from “Great Southern Spirits” by The Australian Voices, released in 1994.

        An arrangement in treble voicing is also available: Black Swana SSAA

        Black Swana

        #MM0904

        From the Torres Strait Islands north of Australia’s Cape York comes a beautiful song which depicts the progress of the ship Black Swana as it glides across the sea.

        An arrangement in SATB voicing is also available: Black Swana SATB

        Breakers

        #MM0505

        “Dolphins” are the subject of this highly energetic and rhythmic piece.

        Ceduna

        #MM0413

        This is the fourth title of Songs of Passage, the work which includes Ngana. “Ceduna” means “waterhole”. The music includes “boxes” of material for singers to work through as well as traditionally scored sections. Commissioned by Graeme Morton’s St Peters Chorale.

        Coraparena

        #MM0412

        Also from Songs of Passage, “coraparena” means “flat place”. The writing is easy to sing though it contains some chord clusters. Commissioned by Graeme Morton’s St Peters Chorale.

        Goolay-Yali

        #MM0910

        The third and final piece in Ancient Cries, this “pelican dance” has caught the imagination of young and adult treble choirs the world over. Wonderfully rhythmic with stunning climaxes and interesting vocal sounds. It is also not very difficult. A “must perform.”

        The recording is by Young Voices of Melbourne, directed by Mark O’Leary.

        Into The Darkness

        #MM0416

        The five songs of this suite are the perfect simple introduction to modern techniques of vocal writing for high school, college or community choir. The work constitutes a gradual progression from the cicada chorus of late afternoon through the gathering darkness to a night fishing excursion and finally sleep. The score is presented in easy-to-read manuscript.

        Island Songs – Monkey and Turtle

        #MM0811a (treble)/ MM0409a (SATB)

        A humorous look at the monkey and turtle who go looking for bananas and get shot! Suitable for children of all ages! Only available within the collection of Island Songs (available in SATB and SA voicings).

        The SATB version is for unaccompanied choir. The treble version  has a piano accompaniment.

        (The musical example is for mixed voices, from Great Southern Spirits by The Australian Voices. Released: 1994.)

         

        Island Songs – Morning Tide

        #MM0811c (treble)/ MM0409c (SATB)

        An easy but effective strophic song emphasizing community. “Come my brother, come my friend, wait, wait in the deep”.

        This piece is available as a part of the Island Songs set (available in SATB and SA voicings). The SATB version is for unaccompanied choir. The treble version  has a piano accompaniment.

        (The musical example is for mixed voices)

        Island Songs – Trade Winds

        #MM0811b (treble)/ MM0409b (SATB)

        A beautiful song of travel and love. This is a lovely arrangement of a Torres Strait Island song. Only available within the collection of Island Songs.

        This piece is available as a part of the Island Songs set (available in both SATB and SA voicings). The SATB version is for unaccompanied choir. The treble version  has a piano accompaniment.

        (The musical example is for mixed voices, from Great Southern Spirits by The Australian Voices. Released: 1994.)

        Island Songs (SA)

        #MM0811

        Three songs from the Torres Strait Islands to the north of Australia. Comprises Monkey and Turtle, Trade Winds and Morning Tide. Good for use in classrooms or with choirs at elementary or high school level.

        The SATB version is for unaccompanied choir. The treble version  has a piano accompaniment.

        (The musical examples are for mixed voices, from Great Southern Spirits by The Australian Voices. Released: 1994.)

        Monkey and Turtle:

        Trade Winds:

        Morning Tide:

        An SATB version can be found here.

        Island Songs (SATB)

        #MM0409

        Three songs from the Torres Strait Islands to the north of Australia. Comprises Monkey and Turtle, Trade Winds and Morning Tide. Good for use in classrooms or with choirs at elementary or high school level.

        The SATB version is for unaccompanied choir. The treble version  has a piano accompaniment.

        Recordings of first piece “Monkey and a Turtle” and second piece “Trade Winds” are from Great Southern Spirits by The Australian Voices.

        Kumbargung

        #MM0902

        One of the easiest and most immediately appealing from Stephen Leek’s In Construction series. It is suitable for singers of all ages and uses indigenous Australian words that are spoken in rhythm at various pitch levels. “Kumbargung” means “night” and other evocative words include “ungi gungi” (grasshopper) and “goolay yali” (pelican). A delight for all ages!

        Leave Her Johnny

        #MM1002

        An arrangement of a folk song about sailors and the sea.

        Myoon-Myoon

        #MM0909

        The second of the Ancient Cries set, this introspective slow work in 5/8 allows a choir to showcase a beautiful tone. The title means “red earth” and evokes the landscape of Australia’s geographical center.

        An SSA version is also available here.

        ,

        Ngayulyul (Songs of Passage)

        #MM0411

        Pronounced “ungahyulyul” meaning “hawk dreaming”. The text reflects the thoughts of the sheep farmer herding his sheep, ever aware of the hawk circling overhead. The second of Stephen Leek’s Songs of Passage, this is a highly evocative and beautiful composition using easy but effective modern compositional techniques. Commissioned by Graeme Morton’s St Peters Chorale.

        Rainbird

        #MM0908

        The first of the Ancient Cries set; Rainbird begins with a dramatic and evocative piano introduction and includes some Australian aboriginal words as well as aleatoric sounds.

        Riawanna

        #MM0903

        “Riawanna” is an Australian native word for “circles” and the piece is a do-it-yourself round with thousands of possibilities. It includes mixed meters. The final instruction in the accompanying notes says it all: “have fun”.

        The sound file is by Eltham East Primary School Choir’s CD Sea Shapes, conducted by Anne Williams.

        Simple Gifts (SATB)

        #MM0406

        A four-part arrangement for treble voices of the traditional American folk song that concludes with the most magical and ethereal sounds!

         

        Also available in SSAA voicing

        Simple Gifts (SSAA)

        #MM0911

        A four-part arrangement for treble voices of the traditional American folk song that concludes with the most magical and ethereal sounds!

         

        Also available for SATB

        South Australia

        #MM0403

        A robust arrangement which includes two versions of an Australian sea shanty. The composer also sanctions a cappella performances.

        Tabulam

        #MM0414

        Another in the Songs of Passage set, “tabulam” means “my home”. This song captures the energy and life of music-making from the north of Australia where part-singing is joyous, spontaneous and often improvised. The writing is lush, rich and repetitive. Commissioned by Graeme Morton’s St Peters Chorale.

        Tunggare

        #MM0408

        “Tunggare” means “voice” or “to sing” in an Australian dialect. This is a wonderful opening or closing to a concert. There is much repetition and very easy tenor and bass parts, so it is perfect for a high school choir (and other choirs as well!). It may also be used as a choral piece for audience participation.

        Until I Saw

        #MM0402

        A slow meditative work. A beautiful imaginative piece that stands among the best.

        Voices Of A Land

        #MM0801

        An anthology of three songs, Cutty Sark, Midsummer Noon and Drovers. The score includes instructions for “random bush sounds”.

        Waltzing Matilda

        #MM0404

        A masterly and unique arrangement of Australia’s favourite song.