Choral Director

Choral Director

Internationally performed compositions

Composing music is Lee’s great passion

It is from Lee’s work as a composer that his career as a choral conductor and organist developed. His works have been performed in cathedrals and concert halls across Europe and North America to critical acclaim.

A number of his earliest instrumental compositions were performed in workshops led by composers including; Gavin Bryars, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Brian Ferneyhough, and Robert Saxton, and he was awarded a Britten-Pears Scholarship to study with the current Master of the Queen’s Music, Judith Weir. These works have been performed at many of Britain’s major concert halls, and other venues both nationally and internationally.

As his career as a choral conductor and organist grew, so did the number of works composed for choirs and organists. Many of these were written for his own choirs during his time in Oxford, London, Cambridge, and York, but commissions from further afield quickly followed. These works are tailor-made for the singers in question, ranging from a set of Responses for a festival chorus of over 300 and a congregational Communion Service for a parish church with an accomplished choir, to a virtuoso a cappella fanfare setting of the National Anthem first performed in the presence of HM The Queen.

Lee is always happy to discuss writing new works for choirs of any standard, to mark an event or anniversary, and fees for commissioning a new work are comparable to buying a new set of music for an already-composed work, offering excellent value for money. Lee takes pride in following the specific requirements of your commission, taking into account the unique needs of your choir, and of course, the pleasure of the listener. Please contact Lee to find out more about how he can help you bring new music into life.

Compositions

A selection of Lee's compositions can be found below - some available with sample scores (PDF) and sample MP3s to listen to.

Portsmouth Responses (2020)

For the Dr David Price and the Choir of the Cathedral Church of St Thomas, Portsmouth, and first performed by them on Monday 7 December 2020. This setting was written to encapsulate Maurice Duruflé’s stand-alone setting of the Lord’s Prayer (not included).

SATB or AATB a capella

Benediction Motet: Tantum ergo (2020)

For the Horatio Singers, and first performed by them on Tuesday 8 September 2020 at the licensing of the Revd Richard Stanton as Parish Priest of St John the Baptist, Timberhill, with St Julian, Norwich.

SATB a capella

Benediction Motet: O salutaris hostia (2020)

For the Horatio Singers, and first performed by them on Tuesday 8 September 2020 at the licensing of the Revd Richard Stanton as Parish Priest of St John the Baptist, Timberhill, with St Julian, Norwich.

SATB a capella

Hymn Descant: Epiphany (2019)

For the Northampton Bach Choir’s visit to sing Choral Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, on the Feast of the Epiphany 2020.

Hymn: Chamberlains (2019)

To the Chamberlain family, for their support of the choir at the Parish Church of St Peter and Paul, Olney. This setting was written to encapsulate Joseph Noyon’s Christus vincit.

Hymn arrangement: St Clement (2018)

In memory of David Simms, for many years bass lay clerk at All Saints’ Church, Northampton, and first sung at his Funeral Service.

Hymn tune: Chapman (2018)

In memory of Brian Chapman, verger at St Peter and Paul, Kettering, and first sung at his Funeral Service.

Hymn tune: Coralto (2017)

To mark the long service of Coral Bex, alto in the choir at the Parish Church of St Peter and Paul, Olney. To be sung with piano accompaniment where practicable.

Peterborough Responses (2017)

For Stephen Grahl and the singers of the Peterborough Diocesan Choral Festival, and first performed by them on Saturday 14 October 2017.

SATB a capella

Hymn tune: Plackett (2016)

To mark the long service of Ruth Plackett, soprano in the choir at the Parish Church of St Peter and Paul, Olney. To be sung with piano accompaniment where practicable.

Arrangement: Lourdes Gloria (2015)

For the cantors of St Mary’s Church, Wellingborough, and its congregation. An alternative setting of the Gloria, to be sung with the familiar refrain of the Lourdes Gloria by Jean-Paul Lécot (b. 1947)

Pax huic domui (2015)

For the Northampton Bach Choir’s visit to sing Choral Evensong at Coventry Cathedral at the First Evensong of St Luke’s Day, 17 October 2015.

SSAATTBB a capella

Hymn tune: Adoring Era (2015)

For Roger and Diana Smith, and for the congregation of St Mary’s Church, Wellingborough.

Christ the Lord was born today (2014)

For Jan Payne and the Ely Cathedral Octagon Singers.

SATB and organ

John Ireland Responses (2012)

Arranged from the music of John Ireland (1879-1962) for Neil Shepherd and Laudate, and first performed by them in Truro Cathedral on the fiftieth anniversary of the death of John Ireland, 12 June 2012.

SATB a capella

Salve Regina (2012)

For the choral scholars and lay clerks of All Saints Northampton. One of four settings written for their weekly Friday night Choral Compline.

AATBB a capella

National Anthem Arrangement (2012)

For Aidan Liddle and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Choir on the visit of HM The Queen to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

SATB a capella

Ave Verum (2011)

For the Choirs of All Saints’, Northampton.

SATB

Baloo, Lammy, Balulalow (2010)

For the Northampton Bach Choir in their 75th anniversary year, and for ZBW's first Christmas.

SA soli & SATB a capella

Sample PDF

The Robin Stays (2010)

For the Girls' Choir of All Saints Northampton, and for our God-daughter's second Christmas. Recorded on the forthcoming disc with All Saints Northampton, 'Carol of Joy'.

S & organ

“ Lee Dunleavy’s own The Robin stays is a super piece for sopranos and organ. […] An altogether enjoyable CD. ”

Church Music Quarterly (RSCM)

“ We particularly enjoyed …your own 'The Robin stays', which I thought really stunning. If I had a trebles-only choir I would certainly ask you for details of where to buy it, and I certainly hope you have it published and marketed. ”

Anne Marsden Thomas

We wish you a merry Christmas (2010)

Arrangement for the Northampton Bach Choir’s recording ‘Congaudeat: Carols from Northamptonshire’.

SSAATB a capella

Hark! the herald-angels sing (2010)

Last verse descant and harmonisation for the Northampton Bach Choir’s recording ‘Congaudeat: Carols from Northamptonshire’.

SATB and organ

Ecce sacerdos magnus (2009)

Dedicated to The Right Reverend Keith Newton, Bishop of Richborough.

SATTB a capella

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis - St Peter’s Service (2008)

For the Boys and Men of All Saints Northampton for use at the daughter Church of St Peter’s.

SATTB a cappella

Missa Sancti Petri (2007/10)

In memory of Peter Branker.

SSAATB a capella (organ in Gloria)

Five Sacred Songs [Fünf geistliche Lieder] (2007/8)

Set bi-lingually for the Boys’ Choir of All Saints Northampton, and first performed at the Elizabethkirche in Marburg in celebration of the 800th anniversary of the birth of St Elizabeth of Marburg.

SS and organ

Steal Away (2007)

For the Songmen and Choral Scholars of York Minster.

AATTBB a capella

Hymn tune : Bournel (2006)

Written for the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland, for John Cawood's text "Almighty God, thy word is cast".

We praise and thank you (2006)

For the choir ‘Laudate’ and its visits to Chelmsford and Salisbury Cathedrals.

SATB and organ

O blest creator, God most high (2006)

For Richard Bendelow and the Choir of St Nicholas Guisborough.

SATB and organ

“ ... a perfectly judged work for our choir, full of interest and excellent melodies ... ”

Richard Bendelow

Preces and Responses (2006)

For Alexander Eadon and the Choir of Christ Church Southgate.

SAATB a capella

Holy, Holy, Holy! (2004)

Last verse descant and harmonisation for the Edmonton Episcopate Combined Choirs Festival.

SATB and organ

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (2001/2)

Fauxbourdon service for the Men of Christ Church Southgate.

ATB a capella

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (2000/3)

Fauxbourdon service for the Junior Choir of Christ Church Southgate.

SS a capella

For the Fallen (2000)

For the Choir of Hertford College, Oxford.

SSATBB a capella

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