Dance of the Selkies

0 Full Score A3 - 1 Full Score - 1 Piccolo - 3 Flute I - 3 Flute II - 2 Oboe - 2 Bassoon - 1 Clarinet Eb - 4 Clarinet I - 4 Clarinet II - 4 Clarinet III - 1 Bass Clarinet - 2 Alto Saxophone I - 2 Alto Saxophone II - 2 Tenor Saxophone - 1 Baritone Saxophone - 2 Trumpet I - 2 Trumpet II - 2 Trumpet III - 2 Trumpet IV - 1 Horn I Eb - 1 Horn I F - 1 Horn II Eb - 1 Horn II F - 1 Horn III Eb - 1 Horn III F - 1 Horn IV Eb - 1 Horn IV F - 2 Trombone I C - 1 Trombone I Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone I Bb (BC) - 2 Trombone II C - 1 Trombone II Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone II Bb (BC) - 2 Trombone III C - 1 Trombone III Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone III Bb (BC) - 2 Euphonium I C - 2 Euphonium I Bb (BC) - 2 Euphonium I Bb (TC) - 2 Euphonium II C - 2 Euphonium II Bb (BC) - 2 Euphonium II Bb (TC) - 2 Bas Bb (TC) - 2 Bas Bb (BC) - 2 Bas Eb (TC) - 2 Bas Eb (BC) - 4 Tuba C - 1 Tuba C II - 1 Stringbass - 2 Percussion I - 2 Percussion II - 1 Mallets - 1 Timpani

Selkies were creatures, which looked something like grey seals. They were guardians of the sea, and protected the sailors navigating their passages across the ocean. Once a year they would come ashore and transform into people. They would then spend the whole day with the locals, making merry with music, singing and dancing. At sunset they would farewell the villagers, transform back into seals and swim back into the sea. This piece depicts excerpts from this story. The beautiful Irish coast, the arrival of the Selkies, their transformation, merry making, and then their return to the sea. The melodies and orchestration give truly an Irish atmosphere.