Voices of Shekhinah: Four Illuminations (Ethnic.)
This epic work tells the stories of four important women in Jewish history across the ages, with the music reflecting those eras. The work highlights women from different walks of life, women from the Torah and Talmud, and women from Sepharidic and Ashkenazic traditions. Each of the four movements features one vocalist, who sing together in the four shorter sections (prologue, intermezzo, interlude, and prologue).
For lyric soprano, young soprano, mezzo-soprano, and contralto; 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 Bb clarinets, bass clarinet, bassoon, shofar, 4 horns in F, 2 Bb trumpets, 2 trombones, tuba, 2 percussion including xylophone, guitar, harp, accordion, and strings. Performance time is about 30 minutes.
Full score and vocal/piano reduction available after November 12 and 15, 2005 World Premiere.
To rent score and parts for performance, call 510.222.8442 or send email.
Symphony of Light and Shadows (Classical contemporary.)
This orchestral work is inspired by the dance of light and shadows on pools of water, on windblown leaves, and on the earth. In this fanciful and impressionistic work, the composer uses motifs reflected in a multitude of instruments and a panoply of percussion to evoke the patterns of light and shadows.
Picture a rowboat traveling on a gentle stream surrounded by a lush countryside. Leaves occasionally drift down as the sun and breeze transform clouds, creating changes in light and shadows shimmering on the water and playing on the earth. Hear jazz influences in this imagistic work.
For 2 flutes, 2 Bb clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 Bb trumpets, 2 trombones, timpani, 2 percussion including marimba and vibraphone, piano, harp, and strings. Performance time is 10 minutes and 50 seconds. Read Reviews
Study score, full score, and enlarged score available for purchase.
To rent score and parts for performance, call 510.222.8442 or send email.
Chromaticity (Swing.)
As its name suggests, Chromaticity explores chromatic patterns. Sections call and respond to each other, while melody lines are distrubuted among the instruments. Soloists have free rein.
For 5 saxophones (2 altos, 2 tenors, 1 baritone), 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, piano, contrabass, drums)
Musicals
Music for The Gloaming, O My Darling (Irish.)
This collection of music is designed to accompany Megan Terry's play, The Gloaming, O My Darling. 16 cues. Tunes include Fond Memories of Food and Nurse's Curse, recorded on TransFormations, and Maine Snow Night, That Did It!, Watermellon Madness, Birdsong's March, Lovely Children's Lament, Baby Birdsong, The Gloaming Done It Waltz, and Tangled Trio.
For actors who sing and flute, bassoon, piano, violin, and percussion.
Music for Resistance (Classical contemporary.)
Music for the musical, Resistance, written by Valarie Morris and M. Emily Einson. 27 cues. Tunes include Shabbat Overture, I'll Be the Secretary, Nobody Knows, All Alone, A Night to Remember, Who Needs Nazis?, Don't Go Out, When Will It End?, and the rousing Every Quarter, Every Cafe, Every Corner.
For chorus, 4 saxophones (alto & tenor)/clarinets/bass clarinet, flute/alto flute, trombone, guitar, piano, violin, violincello, contrabass, and drums.
Other Large Ensembles
CircumVention (Classical contemporary.)
CircumVention traces one family's emigrations from the former Soviet Union, to Paris, then to the U. S. Recorded on the album of the same name, CircumVention.
For flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, cello, contrabass.
Eggs: Hardboiled, Poached, Over Easy, Scrambled, Eggs Benedict, Sunnyside Up (Classical contemporary.)
This collection of 6 pieces about individual eggs is a performance piece. An actor can add to the theatrics, becoming a different character for each egg on the menu.
For clarinet/soprano saxophone, sarod, piano, optional but preferable actor, and voice.
Rape: A Woman's Perspective (Classical contemporary.)
This composition is useful in initiating dialogues between women in therapeutic group settings. The piece begins with educational information about rape. The visual presentation is very effective when all or most of the musicians, who occasionally have speaking parts, are women. The second section addresses the horror of a rape experiece. The composition ends with an empowerment section in swing style.
For voice, violin, oboe or clarinet or flute, tenor steel pan, synthesizer, piano, bass, and drums.
Watching the War (Classical contemporary.)
This is a theatrical piece that addresses the situation of watching a war unfold on TV. In this case, it was the Gulf War. An actor introduces a particular war and circumstance with improvised text. Many structured improvisation sections allow room for individual expression.
For voice/actor, clarinet, saxophone, violin, trombone, viola, flute, piano, percussion, or other combinations of instruments)
Catalog
For more information, please see our catalog.
flute
clarinet
saxophone
double reeds
accordion
piano
choral and vocal
brass
strings
guitar
handbell and percussion
band and instructional
Valarie Morris accepts commissions for new works.
Orchestra and Large Ensembles
©1996-2007 Sandscape Publications. All Rights Reserved.