Peace I Leave With You (for Trombone Choir) Commission Process and Conductor’s Analysis
On March 27, 2014, Fairport High School (Fairport, NY) student, Hannah Metzler passed away after a heroic battle with Glioblastoma. Upon hearing the news of her passing, composer Jonathan T. Madden wrote Peace I Leave With You, using the text from John 14:27.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world give to, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
The piece was originally composed for eight-part SATB choir and premiered by the Fairport High School Polyphonic Choir, the ensemble Jon and Hannah sang in together.
This transcription for trombone choir was commissioned and premiered by the Penn State Trombone Choir in 2024. It has since been performed on several occasions, including for the Frühling Posaunen Trombone Festival at the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY). The accompanying paper functions as an analysis of the work, including the composer’s background and compositional aesthetic, the commission process, a conductor’s analysis of the work, and rehearsal considerations. This paper also provides a brief history of the trombone choir and its congruent history to choral music.
My thanks go out to Jonathan Madden for his willingness to enter this endeavor with me, and for bringing a beautiful composition to the trombone choir. I would also like to thank Mark Lusk and Dr. Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin for sponsoring and encouraging this project. Finally, my thanks go out to the Metzler Family, for their generous and affirming support.
The Penn State Trombone Choir – performing at the 2024 Frühling Posaunen Trombone Festival