This piece, approximately eight and a half minutes in length, was commissioned in 2007 by Kitamishogyo High School Band in Hokkaido, Japan.

I had the opportunity to visit the region, where I was shown its famous lakes and breathtaking landscapes-an experience that deeply moved me. However, what touched me even more profoundly was Kitamishogyo High School Band itself. Under the direction of the conductor, Mr. Mikio Kasai, the students engaged with music earnestly and wholeheartedly. Witnessing their sincere and pure devotion stirred something deep within me. At that moment, I felt, "The sound itself tells the whole story."
I titled this piece All Things Must Pass to honor these remarkable students who are living fully in the present moment, and to express that now is the most meaningful time. The title also reflects my profound respect for the students I encountered and for the great northern land.
The piece opens with a portrayal of the place that left the strongest impression on me-Bihoro Pass. Its mystical and majestic beauty is conveyed through a trickling passage in the upper woodwinds, followed by a grand melody in the lower voices. The scene then shifts suddenly to a depiction of the students rehearsing in their daily routine.
The central concept of this composition was to portray the students themselves through music. I sought to express their true selves-just as they are-through sound. I truly believe that only Kitamishogyo High School Band could make something so extraordinary possible.

All things must pass...
This work is a hymn of praise to those who live each moment to its fullest.

(Daisuke Shimizu)