A 10-YEAR-OLD Trull Primary School pupil has been named among the top 30 finalists in his age group of the Song Academy’s Young Songwriter 2022 competition.

Finn Crabtree, who enjoys listening to music by Iron Maiden and Noel Gallagher, is one of 30 children aged between eight and 12 from the UK and Ireland to reach this stage of the competition with his song ‘Paradise Falls’.

Across the competition's two age groups (eight to 12 and 13 to 18), there were 852 entries.

He was encouraged to enter the competition by his teachers at Trull Primary School and, according to his mum Josie, he has shown an interest in music since he was around a year old.

She is “over the moon” about Finn’s achievement and said she is “so proud of him”.

Josie said: “The school recommended that he entered, and he did it all himself.

“He entered five of the songs he wrote himself. I’m so impressed by him.

“He’s had lessons but, through Covid, he self-taught. I’m so proud of him even for entering.”

When Finn was growing up, he learnt to play the ukulele and guitar using instruments belonging to members of his family.

Even as a baby, he seemed to enjoy listening to music, and Josie can remember him “bouncing along to Fleetwood Mac when he was 12 months old”.

Somerset County Gazette: Finn and his brother Caleb. Picture: Josie CrabtreeFinn and his brother Caleb. Picture: Josie Crabtree

The Song Academy will announce the top 10 finalists in both age groups on Friday, May 6, and the top three will be announced on Monday, June 13.

The UK and Ireland winners will be announced on Saturday, June 25 at The Young Songwriter 2022 live showcase held at The Tabernacle, in Notting Hill, London. 

“Just to have got this far is brilliant,” said Josie. 

“I’m so proud and amazed by his ability to write his own songs.

“I think that’s amazing to have that ingenuity and talent at that age.”

Finn received his first Fender guitar for his birthday when he turned 10 in April.

Josie added: “He plays in assembly to his friends and classmates, and they know all the lyrics to his songs. He’s also started a band club, and they play some of his songs.”

Finn was away with his school classmates when he found out about his achievement.

He said: “I was on a residential when I got the news. It felt very good.”

Finn is taught at Trull Primary School by Mr Bottomley and Miss Lodge, who he says have been very supportive of his talents.

His guitar teacher at the school, Mr Ayres, has also helped him develop as a musician – making the school an important part of his achievement.

“My teacher, Mr Bottomley, heard about the competition and then I entered, so it’s all thanks to them, really,” he said.