Three Shells by Christopher Deane creates an abstract narrative between the basic motivic materials. An echo like motive based on a tone row gives a sustaining quality to the marimba while the second element emerges as a traditional melody accompaniment figure. The third element is an interruptive motive based on the original row. Mark Ford performed the premier of Three Shells in 1993 and recorded the solo on his Polaris CD.  The work is dedicated to the composer’s sister Leslie, who’s pen and ink drawing provided the title. The four mallets to be used when performing this work should be chosen with as rich a tone quality as is possible yet still having the capability to speak clearly in all registers and within a wide dynamic range.