I Give You Peace

Commissioned by Linda Strommen for Dominick DiOrio and NOTUS, the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, and dedicated to her dear sister, Cheryl Strommen-Loufbourrow, who so beautifully mirrors the text for her.

Hal Leonard (Judith Clurman Choral Series)

Linda Strommen, along with her mother, Ellen, have been two of the dearest supporters of my work on the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music faculty, routinely attending concerts put on by the students in the ensemble. About a year ago, I asked her to collaborate with NOTUS on a piece of music by Karin Rehnqvist, and after consideration, she thought it might be even better to have me write an entirely new work for her to perform with the group. I Give You Peace is that new work.

As one of the foremost oboists in the country, Linda has a history of commissioning works for her to perform that honor members of her family, and this work is no different, as it is dedicated to her sister, Cheryl Strommen-Loufbourrow, who she says “mirrors the text so beautifully.” The text is one that I have adapted from a few verses from Numbers and John to be a universal statement of peace. With a humble spirit of gratitude, I thank Linda for her belief in my music and for helping to create this wonderful new work, which I hope will bring comfort to those who hear it.

-- Dominick DiOrio, October 2018

Text adapted by the composer from Numbers 6:24-26 and John 14:27.

May God bless you and keep you;
May God’s face shine upon you and give you peace.
May God bless you and keep you;
May God’s face turn toward you and give you peace.

My peace I give to you:
     a peace that the world cannot give,
     a peace that the world cannot understand, 
     a peace to know and a peace to give.
A peace I give to you, My peace I give to you.

May God bless you and keep you;
May God’s face shine upon you and give you peace.

I bless you and keep you; I shine upon you;
I bless you and keep you; I turn toward you:
     I give you peace. 

Commissioned by Linda Strommen for Dominick DiOrio and NOTUS, the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, and dedicated to her dear sister, Cheryl Strommen-Loufbourrow, who so beautifully mirrors the text for her.

Hal Leonard (Judith Clurman Choral Series)

Linda Strommen, along with her mother, Ellen, have been two of the dearest supporters of my work on the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music faculty, routinely attending concerts put on by the students in the ensemble. About a year ago, I asked her to collaborate with NOTUS on a piece of music by Karin Rehnqvist, and after consideration, she thought it might be even better to have me write an entirely new work for her to perform with the group. I Give You Peace is that new work.

As one of the foremost oboists in the country, Linda has a history of commissioning works for her to perform that honor members of her family, and this work is no different, as it is dedicated to her sister, Cheryl Strommen-Loufbourrow, who she says “mirrors the text so beautifully.” The text is one that I have adapted from a few verses from Numbers and John to be a universal statement of peace. With a humble spirit of gratitude, I thank Linda for her belief in my music and for helping to create this wonderful new work, which I hope will bring comfort to those who hear it.

-- Dominick DiOrio, October 2018

Text adapted by the composer from Numbers 6:24-26 and John 14:27.

May God bless you and keep you;
May God’s face shine upon you and give you peace.
May God bless you and keep you;
May God’s face turn toward you and give you peace.

My peace I give to you:
     a peace that the world cannot give,
     a peace that the world cannot understand, 
     a peace to know and a peace to give.
A peace I give to you, My peace I give to you.

May God bless you and keep you;
May God’s face shine upon you and give you peace.

I bless you and keep you; I shine upon you;
I bless you and keep you; I turn toward you:
     I give you peace.