I composed Invitation to Music in response to a commission from the South Coast Chorale in Long Beach, California. Bob Phibbs, director of the Chorale, and I had had many conversations about the healing power of music and the extraordinary beauty that listening deeply and thoughtfully brings to one. When I came across Elizabeth Bishop's poem "Sonnet", it immediately resonated with me and I knew it was the poem to set for Bob's chorus. This lovely poem expresses itself simply and profoundly, and somehow captures music's infinite generosity and kindness to all of us -- its humble partakers. — Libby Larsen