In August 2007, Valarie Morris composed "Opening Night," a string quartet commissioned by Roberta Mandel, pianist for the Junius Courtney Big Band. Ms. Mandel's transcription of Billy Strayhorn's "Blood Count" is archived in the Smithsonian Institution.

In July 2007, Valarie Morris composed "Cloud Dances," a woodwind quintet commissioned on behalf of Kammermusik Workshops The four-movement work is 8 minutes long.

In April 2007, Valarie Morris completed two piano arrangements of "Gladiolus Rag" commissioned by The Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation for their 2007 festival. Each year's festival honors the 100th anniversary of a Joplin composition. Joplin composed "Gladiolus Rag" in 1907. The two arrangements by Ms. Morris are for two levels of pianists. One arrangement is intermediate and the other is called easiest intermediate.

The World Premiere of "Voices of Shekhinah: Four Illuminations" (full orchestra and 4 voices), commissioned by the Tifereth Israel Synagogue for its 100th Anniversary, was widely acclaimed by audiences at both the November 12 and 15, 2005 performances. Premiere conducted by David Amos. Music and libretto by Valarie Morris. Approximately 40 minutes.

"Voices of Shekhinah: Four Illuminations" was funded in part by the Composer Assistance Program of the American Music Center.

This work honors important women in Jewish history. The four movements of "Voices of Shekhinah: Four Illuminations" feature four solo vocalists representing significant women of the past and the present who tell their stories. The work highlights women from different walks of life, women from the Torah and Talmud, and women from Sepharidic and Ashkenazic traditions. The women are Sarah, Beruriah, Gracia, and Lila, the latter an adolescent girl representing hopes for the future. The prologue, intermezzo, interlude, and epilogue are sung by an ensemble of the four characters.

"Voices of Shekhinah: Four Illuminations" is the result of extensive research in selecting the four women. The libretto for Lila was created through interviews with a class of 7th grade girls at a Hebrew school in California. Music research involved determining styles of music and instrumentation of the historic periods covered in the work, described in the program notes. The notes also include an organized and comprehensive list of all the important women in Jewish history discovered during the research process with the intent to add to the list over time.

Paintings by Viviana Lombrozo, reflecting the four featured Jewish women, were on display at the premiere concerts. Giclees of the paintings are available from the artist.

Read a review of "Voices of Shekhinah: Four Illuminations".

This work can also be performed by voice and piano. The vocal/piano accompaniment (piano reduction) part and the full score are available for purchase. For the orchestral rental fee, call Sandscape Publications at 505.992.2524 or send email.

Music for Theatre, Opera, and Film