Freelance Australian Composer/Conductor Stephen Leek is a major and important figure in the development of choral music, music in the community and educational music in Australia. He has had 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 continues to work as guest conductor and adjudicator around the globe.
As a composer he established his own distinctive contemporary style back in the 1980’s. His works have broad appeal and are performed regularly by a wide selection of choirs throughout the world and has been commissioned by some of the leading choral groups. 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 commitment to the innovative development of Australian choral music over the past 4 decades and through his composition of over 700 innovative choral works which explore a uniquely “Australian” colour and texture – paving the way for future generations of Australian composers to capture the sounds and energies of their own country.
A Churchill Fellow, Leek has received numerous national and international awards including the highly prestigious “Robert Edler International Choral Prize” for his contribution to the development of global choral music presented to him in Darmstaat, Germany. He has held many national and international positions including Vice President of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) from 2011 – 2017, and 2012/13, Artistic Director of the Shanghai Youth Choir and in 2015, Conductor of the Asia Pacific Youth Choir. From 2016 until 2022, he was Artistic Director / General Manager of the Young Music Society – an awarded, self-funded, non-profit, community-based organisation that celebrated 50 years in 2019, whilst lecturing in Choral Direction at the University of Melbourne School of Music and Composition at the Australian National University School of Music in Canberra. He is exclusively published by Morton Music and currently lives in Brisbane Queensland.
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Agnus Dei (SATB) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Agnus Dei is voiced for SATB a cappella and also SSA a cappella and can be paired with Leek’s “Sanctus” or sung as a stand-alone work. This setting is suitable for community and adult choir and pairs the traditional ideas of the Sanctus with more holistic ideas of the sentiments through texts by Australian write, Michael Doneman. The work draws on the traditional and contemporary notions of the Agnus Dei text. |
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Agnus Dei (SSAA) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Agnus Dei is voiced for SATB a cappella and also SSA a cappella and can be paired with Leek’s “Sanctus” or sung as a stand-alone work. This setting is suitable for community and adult choir and pairs the traditional ideas of the Sanctus with more holistic ideas of the sentiments through texts by Australian write, Michael Doneman. The work draws on the traditional and contemporary notions of the Agnus Dei text. |
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ANZAC Ode – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. ANZAC Ode is voices for SSAB and piano. This work was commissioned to be sung at the Australian ANZAC ceremonies to commemorate the historic Battle of Gallipoli in WW2 and the strong alias between two nations. |
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Beyond the Black Stump – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Beyond the Black Stump is a popular song for primary-aged choir with words written by the students of the Eltham East Primary School Choir. A fun piece that explores the challenges of the Australian outback. |
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Black Children |
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! |
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Black Swana (SATB) |
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 |
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Black Swana (SSAA) |
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 Recording of SATB version of Black Swana from “Great Southern Spirits” by The Australian Voices, released in 1994. |
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Breakers |
“Dolphins” are the subject of this highly energetic and rhythmic piece. |
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Ceduna |
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. |
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Coonawrin (SATB) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Coonawrin is for high-school aged and community choirs in SATB and TTBB voicings. This exciting and energetic work tells the traditional story of the creation of the iconic Glasshouse Mountains, along the Queensland coast. |
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Coonawrin (TTBB) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Coonawrin is for high-school aged and community choirs in SATB and TTBB voicings. This exciting and energetic work tells the traditional story of the creation of the iconic Glasshouse Mountains, along the Queensland coast. |
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Coraparena |
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. |
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Dreams of Never Never – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Dreams of Never Never is from a set of short fun pieces for young singers. Each of the works in the set introduces a small, yet achievable challenge for the singers. All the works are settings of Australian Nursery Rhymes by Australian wordsmith, Kel Richards. |
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Goolay-Yali |
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. |
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High Places (SATB) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. High Places draws on the well-known text by Australian poet legend, Dorothea McKeller. In three different voicings SATB a cappella, SSAA a cappella and TTBB a cappella. This beautiful setting captures in a homophonic way the exquisite colours of the Australian hills and valleys. |
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High Places (SSAA) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. High Places draws on the well-known text by Australian poet legend, Dorothea McKeller. In three different voicings SATB a cappella, SSAA a cappella and TTBB a cappella. This beautiful setting captures in a homophonic way the exquisite colours of the Australian hills and valleys. |
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High Places (TTBB) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. High Places draws on the well-known text by Australian poet legend, Dorothea McKeller. In three different voicings SATB a cappella, SSAA a cappella and TTBB a cappella. This beautiful setting captures in a homophonic way the exquisite colours of the Australian hills and valleys. |
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Into The Darkness |
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. |
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Island Songs – Monkey and Turtle |
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.)
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Island Songs – Morning Tide |
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) |
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Island Songs – Trade Winds |
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.) |
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Island Songs (SA) |
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. |
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Island Songs (SATB) |
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 (SA) has a piano accompaniment. Monkey and Turtle: Trade Winds: Recordings are from Great Southern Spirits (1994) by The Australian Voices. |
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Kondalilla SATB – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Kondalilla is a popular and iconic choral offering that brings the Australian bush to the concert hall in a very original way. Kondalilla is the name of a waterfall in a small pocket of Australian rainforest where the water falls from a very great height into rock pools below. The work is voiced for SATB a cappella and SSAA a cappella. |
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Kondalilla SSAA – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Kondalilla is a popular and iconic choral offering that brings the Australian bush to the concert hall in a very original way. Kondalilla is the name of a waterfall in a small pocket of Australian rainforest where the water falls from a very great height into rock pools below. The work is voiced for SATB a cappella and SSAA a cappella. |
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Kumbargung |
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! |
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Kungala – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Kungala takes its name from the small settlement in the north of New South Wales. The name also comes from the local Aboriginal meaning of a place “to sing, shout and listen.” . |
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Leave Her Johnny |
An arrangement of a folk song about sailors and the sea. Simple yet delightful, this piece is written for piano and solo flute accompaniment. |
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Living Shells (SAA and handbells) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Living Shells is a peaceful work for high-school-aged and community choirs that exists in multiple voicings – SSA and piano, SAB and piano, SSATB and piano, SSATB a cappella and uniquely, for SAA and handbells choir. Experience the joy and serenity of a stroll along a sun-drenched golden beach and rock pools, and discover all the small creatures that bask in the warmth of the Australian coastline. |
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Living Shells (SAB) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Living Shells is a peaceful work for high-school-aged and community choirs that exists in multiple voicings – SSA and piano, SAB and piano, SSATB and piano, SSATB a cappella and uniquely, for SAA and handbells choir. Experience the joy and serenity of a stroll along a sun-drenched golden beach and rock pools, and discover all the small creatures that bask in the warmth of the Australian coastline. |
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Living Shells (SSA) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Living Shells is a peaceful work for high-school-aged and community choirs that exists in multiple voicings – SSA and piano, SAB and piano, SSATB and piano, SSATB a cappella and uniquely, for SAA and handbells choir. Experience the joy and serenity of a stroll along a sun-drenched golden beach and rock pools, and discover all the small creatures that bask in the warmth of the Australian coastline. |
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Living Shells (SSATB a cappella) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Living Shells is a peaceful work for high-school-aged and community choirs that exists in multiple voicings – SSA and piano, SAB and piano, SSATB and piano, SSATB a cappella and uniquely, for SAA and handbells choir. Experience the joy and serenity of a stroll along a sun-drenched golden beach and rock pools, and discover all the small creatures that bask in the warmth of the Australian coastline. |
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Living Shells (SSATB and piano) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Living Shells is a peaceful work for high-school-aged and community choirs that exists in multiple voicings – SSA and piano, SAB and piano, SSATB and piano, SSATB a cappella and uniquely, for SAA and handbells choir. Experience the joy and serenity of a stroll along a sun-drenched golden beach and rock pools, and discover all the small creatures that bask in the warmth of the Australian coastline. |
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Myoon-Myoon |
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. |
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Ngana (SSAA) |
Ngana (from Songs of Passage) by Australian composer Stephen Leek strikingly captures the driving energies, rhythms and vivid colours of the island seascape that is to be found around the north-eastern tip of Australia. Constructed of simple canonic figurations and ostinatos, Ngana uses as its source an indigenous Australian text which calls to the shark (ngana) and the fish (mangana) and welcomes (yah) them to the translucent blue waters (lina) around the reef. Ngana is the first of five Songs of Passage, each named after a traditional Australian place. These pieces project the choral colours and texture for which Leek has become renowned. Songs of Passage was commissioned in 1994 by the St. Peters Chorale, Brisbane, Australia and its Director, Graeme Morton. Ngana is part of The Australian Voices Series published by Morton Music. |
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Ngana SATB – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details.
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Ngayulyul (Songs of Passage) |
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. |
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Rainbird |
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. |
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Rainstorm – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Rainstorm from Reef Songs is suitable for SSATB and percussion. |
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Riawanna |
“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. |