The inspiration for this powerful wind ensemble piece came from the tragic events of the atomic bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. This piece is a memorial work for one of the eventual victims, a young girl named Sadako Sasaki. At the age of ten, Sadako was diagnosed with leukemia, and she was given but a few months to live. Determined to survive, Sadako clung to a traditional Japanese belief that if she folded one thousand origami cranes (senba-zuru), the gods would grant her wish to live; but unfortunately her wish was not realized. This very original work is a musical eulogy for Sadako and uses many poignant solos and simple ensemble singing in Japanese and English to convey a message of hope and peace for our fragile planet and its inhabitants.