“Nine Invocations (2025) is a set of short pieces inspired by the Muses of Greek mythology. By the Classical period, the Muses—the nine daughters of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory—had come to be associated with specific arts and sciences. Each Muse provides inspiration to mortals pursuing activities within their respective domains.

I wrote Nine Invocations in condensed work sessions between teaching classes at Hofstra University and completing the dissertation requirements for my doctorate at the Eastman School of Music. Each movement is based on a sonic image inspired by the associations of or the mythology surrounding a particular Muse. It was as though I channeled the Muses one by one, and each provided the impetus for an Invocation that led me to write at a much faster pace than I am used to. As I near the completion of my terminal degree, the piece’s subject matter is also a nod to my first composition teacher of my undergraduate studies, Dana Wilson, whose nine-movement piece Musings for horn and piano also evokes the Muses.

The nine Invocations are as follows:

I. KALLIOPE (Orphic Hymn): Described by Hesiod as the foremost Muse, eldest sister Kalliope governs eloquence and epic poetry. The mythic musician Orpheus is often identified as Kalliope’s son. One of the hymns attributed to Orpheus invokes the Muses and describes their roles as catalysts for mortals’ artistic and scientific pursuits.

II. TERPSIKHORE (Congregation of Grasshoppers): According to Plato, some grasshoppers after their deaths report to Terpsikhore, the Muse of dance, on the activities of mortal dancers.

III. EUTERPE (Windsong): Some cite Euterpe as the inventor of the aulos, or double flute. Artistic renditions of the Muse of lyric poetry and music often portray her with a flute.

IV. MELPOMENE (Threnody): According to some accounts, the Muse of tragedy Melpomene sings to mourn poets and other prominent figures after their deaths.

V. THALEIA (Pastorale): Although she is usually cited as the Muse of comedy, Thaleia is also the patron of idyllic poetry.

VI. ERATO (Lacunae): The Muse Erato presides over erotic poetry. The sensual poetry of the legendary Sappho (dubbed the tenth Muse by Plato) survives only as fragments interspersed by tantalizing lacunae.

VII. POLYHYMNIA (Sacred Geometry): Polyhymnia, the Muse of sacred poetry, is sometimes cited as the patron of geometry and meditation. She is often depicted with a serious, pensive demeanor.

VIII. KLEIO (She Who Speaks with Ancient Voice): The Muse of history is Kleio, the Proclaimer. She is traditionally portrayed with a trumpet and a book or a scroll.

IX. OURANIA (Infinite Tapestry): The night sky is the domain of the Muse of astronomy, heavenly Ourania.”