Yes, you absolutely would need to drill holes for air and drainage, and watch your balance of material. Lynda and Yardenman gave good advice.
My caution would be, having not composted before, if you get the balance wrong, then its a cold bin full of leaves all winter. Are you OK with that? Then go for it.
I have lots of fall leaves and rarely can get a hot compost going. By October will you have enough grass to balance the leaves?
How do you plan to use the compost/leaves in April? If it isn't fully composted, it can still be tilled in, or used as a loose mulch that will decay pretty soon when air and rain and worms get to it in the garden.
