Ultimate Sacrifice, Op. 152, for brass quintet was started 15 Oct 2023 during the compositional process of “America’s 250th” and was completed 4 Apr 2024 with a title that has reference to both Jesus Christ and military personnel who perished in the line of duty. The scriptural reference used in the subtitle, John 15:13, though obviously referring directly to the Savior, has also been used to parallel anyone who has sacrificed their life for the good of another: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Atypical of my compositions, this does not end in the key in which it began. The depth of sacrifice herein extolled yields an unalterable loss. Duration: 4:00.