Finn Anderson is a brilliant composer/songerwriter, based in Scotland, and I’m so excited to share his story with all of you Write Teacher(s) Reader(s)!
Megan: First things first, when did you know you wanted to be a composer/songwriter?
Finn: I have been writing scripts and songs from a very young age – and it was the norm for visitors to our family home to get roped into being an audience or part of the cast itself! I was still at primary school when I began writing and directing more fully formed musicals and I was pretty certain at that age that was what I wanted to give my life to.
MM: Do you remember the first song you wrote?
FA: I couldn’t identify the first, but I do have some pretty hilarious notebooks with very questionable lyrics from my 8-year-old self.
MM: What books are permanently on your bookshelf?
FA: And Then You Act by Anne Bogart
Story by Robert McKee
Roget’s Thesaurus
MM: If you were stranded on a desert island, (assuming there was a TV and internet access), what television shows and movies would you want available to you?
FA: The film ‘Life Is Beautiful’ by Vincenzo Cerami
A David Attenborough series – maybe ‘Life’
And a classic Disney film – Peter Pan is one of my favourites
MM: What words of wisdom would you give to aspiring composers and songwriters?
FA: Just get your work on. Try it out. Produce it yourself if you have to. You can do a lot with very little, but I learned almost everything I know about making theatre through doing it. A theatre song is only good if it fits into the whole.
MM: Who are your musical theatre inspirations?
FA: Although I now mainly draw my influences from non-theatre music and from theatre across the board, initial inspirations were Stephen Sondheim, Alan Menken and even Andrew Lloyd Webber for the scope and scale of his scores.
MM: In the United States, arts education programs are often in danger of being cut, due to budgetary restraints. What reasons would you give to a school official and/or political for preserving arts education programming in schools?
FA: The arts are excellent for social skills, and encourage creativity, which can go on to be applied in all areas of life. Artistic opportunities can make it easier for young people to express their views and explore the big questions in life in a creative and non-pressured way. I have no doubt that access to music, drama, dance, art, film and culture in general promotes good mental wellbeing.
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
FA: This is a hard question. Probably my Dad. He taught me my first chords on the piano, and showed me lots of other practical things, which have allowed me to produce my own work and continue to develop as an artist.
Thanks, Finn!
Live, Love, Learn,