Graeme Leak
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Pieces for Sale

View information about each piece here, and use the order form below if you would like to purchase a download.
Scroll down further for a complete list of my works.
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For a speaking percussionist
Commissioned by [and dedicated to]  Dr. John Lane, Associate Professor of Percussion and Director of Percussion Studies, Sam Houston State University, Texas [2016]
The download is a .pdf performance score with notes and instructions
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Percussion and backing tape, one player 
For multi percussion and tape [1984] the piece relies on the artistry of the performer to absorb and learn the rhythms - transcribed directly from Vietnamese speech - then fashion a unique realisation.
DOWNLOAD CONTAINS:
Full score
Performance instructions
Program note
Master tape part, .mp3 and .aif formats
Demo performance by GL, .mp3 &.aif
​"'...and now for the news' is the original spoken word piece for the modern age. By taking the rhythms and sonic aspects of a newscast in Vietnamese and making it into a sonic partner for a percussionist/improvisor Graeme Leak invites the performer to engage in a multi-lingual, multi-disicplinary, multi-perspective journey.  It's a wild ride! What a fabulous musical experience!  Most recommended."
- Steven Schick, Distinguished Professor of Music, University of California, San Diego

"Because of its freeness, I strongly recommend this piece to any percussionist, young or old, looking to develop some improvisation chops. This is a piece that will remain in your repertoire for years to come, allowing it to develop as you develop as a musician." 
- Cory Hills, independent percussionist and composer
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Percussion quartet
Percussion Quartet for Xylophone, Marimba, Drums, Harmonicas, Keyboard, Melodica and Slap String Guitar*, commissioned by Synergy Percussion, 1990.
​*one string guitar set up on its back with a high bridge and played with sticks
THE DOWNLOAD CONTAINS
Full score with performance and program notes, parts for Player One, Player Two, Player Three and Player Four.

It is recommended to print the score on A4 sized paper and enlarge to A3 (or print on A3 if possible)
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Multi-percussion, one player
My Opus One, written for my graduating ASCM Recital at the Sydney Conservatorium in 1978, this piece is now on the AMEB Percussion Syllabus in Australia. It is as yet unrecorded - the demo below features very ordinary midi instruments played by a robot.
THE DOWNLOAD CONTAINS
​pdf score with performance notes
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A manual for music workshops [BOOK]
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"Leak takes a fresh approach to musical learning by using the body as a performance instrument. It’s a technique that defies the constraints of more conventional ways of learning music which focus on a particular instrument or style. Based on extensive experience as a musician and teacher, Leak’s unique ‘performance-making’ process builds musical skills and imagination, transforming students into composer–performers. This book shows how to run a performance-making workshop (everything from setting up a workspace to managing group dynamics), and offers a wide range of warm-up techniques plus challenging exercises on pulse, metre, rhythm, tone, timbre and more."
AVAILABLE VIA CURRENCY PRESS AUSTRALIA
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Marimba, feet, voice, one player
Yo Yp Man [1991] began as a transcription of 'Xylophone Solo #1' from a record I bought it when I was about twelve titled 'Music and Musicians of the Angolan Border' (Lyrichord LLST-7311).

The percussive rhythms in the track are transferred to the feet and the marimba lines are approximate versions of the original, ad lib, and I added a vocal/whistling melody.
WHAT'S IN the DOWNLOAD:
6 page pdf score, includes performance instructions and a suggested arrangement
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Marimba and voice, one player
​for marimba and voice, one player, 1991
music by Graeme Leak
text by Frankie Lee
A story with marimba accompaniment in the style of the African Griots, running approximately 5-6min. 
Much of the text is verbatim from overheard conversations in Sydney nightclubs.
Although first written and performed in 1991, the issues in the story (around music likes, dislikes and the extent that these are linked to fashion and image) are just as relevant today. 
The performer is encouraged to work with an actor, vocal coach or theatre director to develop a relaxed, confident and conversational deliver.

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Marimba, melodeon, one player
The LH plays marimba, while RH keys the melodeon. The piece is a reflective and slightly mournful meditation on absence
What's in the download:
.pdf score (only one more page than what you see below...)
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Piano and tuba OR solo piano
Exhibit B and Exhibit F (2010) for piano, tuba, seed pods and toy piano, one or two players was commissioned by Madeleine Flynn and Tim Humphrey for Constellation, a durational chamber work for 12 or 13 composers in a three-week exhibition with performance interruptions July 1 to 18, 2010
* the ethereal drones and dripping water atmospheres audible in the recordings were added by Maddie and Tim. They are from my installation 'The Dripolator', featured in Gauge
The download is a .pdf of the score
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Percussion trio
'Hello?...' [2007] is a theme and variations on four Nokia ringtones that were popular in the year 2007. It was commissioned for performance by the B'Tutta ensemble as part of the Musica Viva In Schools program
Instrumentation
Player 1: mp3 files, Glockenspiel, Agogo Bells, Small kit bass drum and pedal, Snare drum (snares off), Medium Suspended Cymbal
Player 2: Vibraphone
Player 3: Marimba (1st player), Vibraphone
Player 4: Marimba (2nd player)
There is only one marimba and one vibraphone in the set up -  they are shared between the players
Kit bass drum not too damped and with two heads if possible - a bit ringy like a small concert BD


Footnote, 2014
Hello? [a ringtone fantasy] was commissioned by the Musica Viva In Schools program in 2007. The brief was to write a piece that would be played in schools and discussed in classrooms as part of this excellent program.
I wanted to create a work that would make a direct connection with students and provide a useful springboard for classroom discussions and music-making activities. After toying with a lot of approaches I finally settled on exploring ringtones as musical compositions: a) because they were universally and instantly recognisable; and b) nearly every school child I knew had a phone. In 2007 smart phones were not around. 
I based the piece on the popular Nokia ringtones and auditioned all 43 melodies available on a Nokia 1100, rating their popularity with the help of my children and their friends. I chose Kick, Jumping, Nokia Tune* and Samba and wrote a theme and variations around the central question.. Where might this ringtone go if it didn’t stop? 
Now,  I have to acknowledge that Hello? obviously dated very quickly. The once instantly recognisable ringtones have become quaint memories. I am hoping that they will soon do the usual cyclic thing and enjoy a retro-hip, global renaissance. 

  * the Nokia tune is in fact the 19th Century Spanish guitar piece Gran Vals by Francisco Tarrega. 
INCLUDED IN THE DOWNLOAD
Full score
All parts
mp3 files for playback/triggering
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Minimum 4 drummers, can double
DRUMSONG (1989) was written for the Sydney band Jump Back Jack and was first performed at Kinsela's nightclub as part of the music/dance celebration Gravity. The four drum parts from high to low fit together to become a mesmeric, joyful, communal groove. It can be played with just four players or parts can be doubled ad infinitum for larger ensembles.

The score contains patterns and fills for the group to arrange. A sample arrangement is included.
Changes are called by a leader, who can either play one of the drum parts or add an optional double bell pattern.
The piece is primarily about feel and groove and needs lots of repetition in rehearsal to get to the point where the players are relaxed.
​INCLUDED IN THE DOWNLOAD
Five page score 
Suggested arrangement
Performance notes
Program note
Demonstration .aiff and .mp3 audio files
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SSAA children's choir, 4 percussion
OR SSAA children's choir, perc
for Gondwana Choirs and Synergy Percussion
Voices:
Soprano 1 Soprano 2
Alto 1 Alto 2
Juniors
Percussion:
Shaker, Tamborim, Tin-Cans (marimba at end)
Bongos, Snare Drum, Glockenspiel
Vibraphone, Woodblocks
Marimba, Tom-Toms
​*NB a version for piano and percussion exists
please contact me if you would like to purchase it

​What's in the download
SCORE (B4 landscape - can be printed on A4)
VOCAL SCORE combining Juniors, S1, S2, A1, A2 (A4 Landscape)
INDIVIDUAL VOCAL PARTS for Juniors, S1, S2, A1 and A2 (A4 portrait)
PERCUSSION PARTS (all A4 portrait)
1. Egg Shaker, Tamborim, Tin Cans, Marimba (at end)
2. Bongos, Snare Drum, Glockenspiel
3. Vibraphone, Woodblocks
4. Marimba, Tom-Toms
for a complete list of all my works please scroll down
Home  Junkestra  Make and Play  Rhythm Orchestra  Saved  Spirit Rising  The Exquisite Now  Pieces for Sale  String Cans  Jingling Johnny  Polaris

    Order Form

    HOW TO ORDER: Select the piece/s you would like to order below and submit. You will receive a PayPal invoice for the total amount, and once paid, a download link to the score materials.
    TO PLACE AN ORDER

    ​Mark the piece/s you would like and make a note of the order total. I will send you a paypal invoice promptly, hopefully on the same day. At this point PayPal is the only payment option.
    ​Once paid I will send you a download link to access your files.
    Details of what is included with each piece can be found in the info panels above.

    Thank you for your interest in my work. If you have any questions please contact me
    Make a note of your total here - you will receive a PayPal invoice shortly
Submit

Complete List of Works

Most of  these works are not on the order form. If you are interested to find out more about any of them please contact me
SOLO
Say Something for speaking percussionist 2015
Museum Walk solo performer, shoes 2004
Welcome solo multi drums and pre-recorded accompaniment 2004
Parade stomping solo performer with string can 1994
Panadol performer and pre-recorded accompaniment 1991
Nobody Knows marimba and melodeon, one player 1991
I Love Jazz solo marimba and voice 1991
Yo Yo Man marimba, feet and voice, one player 1991
Water water bowl, gongs, salad bowls 1990
In the Morning marimba and pre-recorded accompaniment 1991
Sink Symphony kitchen percussion and pre-recorded accompaniment 1990
Briefcase amplified office worker 1989, revised 1991
Spirit Dance marimba and pre-recorded accompaniment 1989
And Now for the News percussion with pre-recorded accompaniment 1983
Just Testing multi-percussion solo 1978

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
ABAF Quartet percussion quartet 2007 | 4 players
Percussion Construction Team percussion quartet and building site workers 2007 | 4 players plus site workers
Hello, a ringtone fantasy percussion quartet 2007 | 4 players
In the Pocket (interludes) metal, rocks 2006 | any number of players
Turtle Soup percussion quartet 1990 | 4 players
Drumsong percussion quartet 1989 | 4 players minimum, infinitely double-able
Rubadub (for Synergy) percussion quartet 1989 | 4 players
Percussion Maintenance Team quartet of builder-percussionists 1999 | 4 percussionists who assemble and dismantle a stage set as part of the piece
​

ENSEMBLE
The Exquisite Now for groups of any number for Museums Victoria​ 2019 | Federation Handbells and mixed instruments
Spirit Rising
for the Girgarre Junkestra and guest ensembles 2018 | 10 string-can and drum players minimum, infinitely double-able
Raising the Roof - Finale for massed community ensembles and choirs 2012 | minimum three instrumental groups and three choirs plus rhythm section
Ringing the Changes five aerial bell ringers and percussion duo 2010 | 7 players
Finale massed percussion forces - adaptations possible 2006 | *contact me!
Under the Bonnet for classic cars, bass and drums 2005 | 2 musicians and any number of vehicles
Funky Fence Winton musical fence 2005 | Any number of players
Drumming the Light for drummers of any number (in five groups) 2011 | minimum 5 players
Exhibit B piano and tuba OR piano solo 2011 | solo or duo
Everything in Front of Me SSAA children’s choir and percussion quartet 2010
The Coorong voices and instruments, flexible 2006 | lead sheet - melody, bass line, chords, demo
Eavesdropping bass, drums, kbd/horns 2006 | lead sheet - melody, bass line, chords, demo
Incredible Hulls ‘orchestra’ of boats, brass band and drummers 2005, revised 2013 | * contact me!
Hullabaloo choreographed SSA children’s choir, pre-recorded accompaniment 2004 | 3 part children's choir and tape
Wonderful Winton Winton musical fence 2003 | any number of players
Sound Hunters for massed children around a pool or pond 2002 | any number of players
Happy New Ears ensemble of performance makers 2001 | event-specific score, consisting mainly of instruction cards for devising
Sixty Seconds for Astra choir of any number 2001
Water with my Water choir of any number 2001
Axe Lyrical four wood choppers and improvising drummer 1999 | 1 drummer and at least 4 woodchoppers
Honky Tonk for antique cars and trad jazz band 1999 | what is says on the tin
Noise Medley junk-n-found noise quartet (can double parts) 1998 | minimum 4 players, infinitely double-able
Fanfare for Darebin with Neil Kelly: mobile brass band with extra percussion 1997 | for community brass band and any number for community musicians
House Music - ASTRA small groups of roving front-of-house vocalists 1996
Cup of Tea SATB choir and percussionist 1996
Overture for Art and Waste flute, drums and remote flashing light 1993 | 2 players
The River Festival for drums and percussion conducted by strobe light 1992 | any number of players

STRING (CAN) QUARTET
Three Four Five string quartet and voices 1994
Enid Thinks Rebecca Misses Tom stomping solo performer with string can 1994
Sitting Standing Kneeling on one Leg choreographed string quartet 1994
Do This stomping and singing string quartet 1994

AUDIO
First Lesson commissioned audio work 2005
Oradio audio for radio broadcast 1997
All or Nothing Really audio for radio broadcast 1995

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© GL 2018
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