Tuning up the region for a new peformance

By Contributed

Mar 11, 2024

World-renowned percussionist, composer and novel music guru Graeme Leak is returning to Girgarre.

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Graeme, an Australian now residing in Scotland, is well known in avant-garde circles for his alternative and unique take on music.

He studied percussion in Australia at the Sydney Conservatorium High School at an early age, followed by advanced studies in New York.

Career highlights include touring the Spaghetti Western Orchestra around the world for 10 years, performances at the Royal Albert Hall in the United Kingdom and the Montreal Jazz Festival.

He was also the creator of the interactive installation The Musical Fence in Winton, Queensland, and he composed and presented a specially commissioned piece for the closing of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

In 2018, Graeme was invited by the Girgarre Development Group to produce a community-based orchestra to celebrate the opening of the soundshell.

The orchestra, dubbed the ‘Junkestra’, attracted 25 participants from as far away as Bendigo, Nathalia, Shepparton and surrounding districts.

Although many players had never played an instrument before, Graeme and a team of volunteers manufactured simple instruments from ‘junk’.

Empty olive oil cans became stringed instruments, metal rubbish bins turned into double basses and plastic cherry barrels made wonderful, resonating drums.

The orchestra rehearsed diligently, perfecting an original piece, Spirit Rising, a haunting piece that evoked the Girgarre countryside.

The Junkestra, alongside other musical groups, performed Spirit Rising for the official opening of the soundshell and again in Nathalia.

Do you remember ...?: Junkestra performers at Girgarre Soundshell in 2018. Photo by Contributed

They received a standing ovation following a gala performance in the Deakin Edge Theatre in Melbourne in 2019.

Now the Junkestra instruments are being dusted off, and Graeme is looking for people who would like to take part in another incredible Junkestra experience.

From the middle of March, musicians will have six weeks to perfect a new piece, culminating in a concert on Sunday, April 28, at the Girgarre Soundshell.

No musical experience or expertise is needed, just plenty of enthusiasm.

Rehearsals require some commitment, but days and times are staggered to accommodate everyone who wants to participate.

For information or to register your interest, contact Graeme via https://graemeleak.com/contact or Lyn Cosham on kenlyn23@bigpond.com or 0417 931 417.