​CUSTOM PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT TRACKS

Are you looking for a custom piano accompaniment track for your next rehearsal or performance? I have over 20 years of experience in public music education, musical theatre directing, and as a collaborative pianist. Accompaniment tracks can be made for:

• Choral music

• Classical vocal repertoire

• Musical Theatre songs, including audition cuts

• Rehearsal tracks with vocal lines prominent

• Other projects upon request

Please listen to the demo tracks to hear some examples of choral, solo, and musical theatre accompaniments.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• A high-quality mp3 recording of your accompaniment.

• Recordings are made with a digital piano using professional piano samples with no ambient noise.

• A track customized to your key and tempo requests.

• ​An opportunity to request additional edits as needed.

• Ability to add other instruments (drums, bass, etc.) - additional fee may occur.

• You can also request your track include a guide vocal line if needed.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Contact me to request a track at info@blakeleister.com

2. Please send a quality scan of the music you are requesting in PDF form (extra fee if sheet music is not provided.) Indicate any special instructions on key or tempo. If none, I will follow tempo markings exactly as written. Also indicate any special cuts, repeats, or other information.

3. Once I look at the music and your requests, I will get back to you with a price for the track(s). A completion date will be established along with the price quote. See pricing structure below.

4. You will receive your preview track(s) in a few days - preview tracks have an audio watermark on them. Faster turnaround requests can also be made. Any additional edits can be done as necessary after you receive and listen to your tracks.

5. Payment will be collected through Venmo (preferred), PayPal, or Square (credit card). Once payment is received, your final track will be sent with the audio watermarked removed.

PRICING STRUCTURE

• Exact prices will be agreed upon after music is received and your requests considered. There will be an extra fee if sheet music is not provided.

• In general, most tracks will range from $15-$25 per song. This is based on the length of the song and complexity of the accompaniment. Some tracks may incur a small additional fee.

• Musical theatre audition cuts (16-32 bars) range from $10-$15

• If I have the track already in stock, the price may be less.

WEDDINGS, COCKTAIL HOURS, PARTIES, & EVENTS

Live piano music can add an elegant and entertaining ambience to your cocktail hour, party, or event. As a solo pianist, I am trained to provide background music to help set the perfect mood for a variety of experiences. I look forward to working with you to make live piano music a part of your special day!

EVENTS

• Weddings and cocktail hours

• Private house parties

• Corporate/business events

• Holiday parties

• Dinner parties

• Retirement celebrations

• Celebrations of life

• Special occasions

• Any event where live piano music can set the perfect ambience!

SONG STYLES PLAYED

Musical set lists will be personally created based on your preferences, the event, age of guests, etc. and can include:

• Jazz standards

• Classical repertoire

• Songs from the American Songbook

• Broadway classics

• Disney favorites

• Pops and rock hits including The Beatles, Elton John, Norah Jones, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and many more

• Your special requests!

PRICING

Specific pricing will be established when we connect and discuss your needs. In general:

• 1 hour= $150

• 2 hours = $250

• $100 per additional hours

• Travel distance may affect pricing (based in Manchester, NH)

No piano? No problem! If your event location does not have a piano, I can provide a high quality digital stage piano and sound system/amplifier. Indoors and outdoor setup available.

Blake is a highly active collaborative pianist and freelance musician in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He has over 20 years of experience playing a wide range of classical vocal repertoire, American musical theatre works, orchestral and wind ensemble literature, and choral accompaniments. Blake also has significant experience playing for weddings, cocktail hours, and other special events.

COLLABORATIVE PIANIST

MUSICAL DIRECTOR & PIT MUSICIAN

As a Musical Director, Blake Leister has worked with numerous theaters across New England as musical director, vocal coach, and pit musician. He has musically directed over 50 productions in collegiate, community theatre, high school, and youth educational theatre. Blake holds music degrees from the University of Michigan (M.M.) and the University of Massachusetts (B.M.). Favorite musical direction credits include Next to Normal, Melancholy Play, Sweeney Todd, Gypsy, Godspell, and Pippin.

As a Pit Musician, Blake has performed in countless productions. He has thorough experience as a Keyboard, Keys/Conductor, Trombone, and Horn player for a wide range of musicals. Blake is skilled in programming and performing Keyboard books using MainStage. With strong sight-reading skills, he has often been called upon to fill-in as a last minute sub for numerous shows.

Please review his resume below for a detailed list of experience.

CHORAL TENOR

As a tenor, Blake has sung with the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the New Hampshire Master Chorale since 2009.

BIOGRAPHY

Blake Leister is a New Hampshire based professional musician and music educator with over 20 years of experience in a wide variety of musical settings.

Mr. Leister performs with the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Festival Choir and the New Hampshire Master Chorale and is a highly active collaborative pianist, freelance musician, and theatre music director.

Since 2022, he has been the Choral Director and Music Educator at Windham High School in Windham, NH where he conducts multiple choirs and teaches various music electives and theatre programs. Prior to this position, Mr. Leister was the Choral Director at West Running Brook Middle School in Derry, NH for 18 years.

Mr. Leister received his Masters of Music Education from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he researched the attitudes and perceptions of young male singers and the various influences on their participation in singing activities. In addition, Mr. Leister received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

​Mr. Leister is a member of the New Hampshire Music Educators Association and has presented several workshops and lectures about working with middle school singers and specifically the changing voice. As a member of the New Hampshire American Choral Directors Association, Mr. Leister serves on the board as Membership Chair.