Alex Poelman

Dance of the Selkies

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.