After staring at a computer screen for 8 hours at work, at home he only has time to watch TV a little and eat before going to bed. Right now, that's pretty much what Sean Eron Anderson's daily schedule looks like. He is a normal 33 year old man from Woodinville, Washington state, USA. Now you're probably wondering why I chose to talk about someone with such an (apparently) ordinary schedule out of the billions of people in the world.
Sean reminds me of an advertisement I saw, in which several usual passers-by were filmed and a voice kept asking rhetorical questions, all with the same message: "Are these persons really what they seem to be?" I think that, at least in this case, the answer is a categoric NO.
Born in Vallejo, California during the early 1970's, and moving several times from California to Wisconsin to Washington state, Sean starts to compose ditties on the computer around the age of 17, when he gets a music sequencing program. Later, he imagines classical music while on walks and begins to improvise on the piano, but generally prefers not to write it down.
In May 2005 he makes his first CD, "Opus 4: Improvisations", which he doesn't sell; instead, he offers it as a birthday gift to Faye Ellyson when she turns 80. The album contains melodies created on a synthesizer, each for one instrument, such as piano, harpsichord, or strings. On his first (and, for the moment, only) CD, there is a strong classical influence. Most songs are slow, romantic, even melancholic, but there are several more rhythmic, with a playful tone. Like his friend David Koller once said, Sean appears to have a lot of musical ideas.
Recently hired by Microsoft as a programmer, he says that his computer-related activity helped him understand that those into technology and science can be interested in music as well. He states that this type of technical knowledge has helped him to create music.
Lately he has decided to accept David's advice, challenging his skills in the style of pop music. His new compositions are different, with a faster rhythm, and some also have vocal parts, but they're still created on the computer. Although "Opus 5" isn't completed yet, the beginning of this new CD sounds quite promising.
As he himself states, when composing Sean feels like he's building something that "might influence people's emotional state". However, Sean says, with the well-known modesty typical of true artists, that he considers there's still much to do so that his music would someday be "good enough"; however, it seems that many people who have listened to it enjoyed it, and he thinks he'll never give up composing.
Lastly, here are the links to Sean's online melodies:
www.anderoid.com/~seander/Music/Opus4/
www.anderoid.com/~seander/Music/Opus5/
©2005 Diana Cosma
Sean didn't seem to like it but yeah... Well this is an article I'm submitting to a Romanian magazine, and I thought about posting it on AP too. Hope it gets published
Included in the list
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Comments
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I listened to some of the music, beautiful. I like the writing, it's absolutly great. How nice it really feels like an artical.
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I have 4 sisters and 3 of them each were in band in school. One sister's husband is going to school for music. When our father died music is what eased our broken hearts. Music has a huge influence in my family's life. It's what helped us through our bad times and gave us a great time through the fun times. I think so many people take music for granted. If they would actually stop and listen to just the instruments and not the words than they would realize that it can move the heart. I think what you are doing for this man is great. Believe in Karma!
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Chrissy Lee -
Good listening music - good write too. Nice to read about ordinary people with extra ordinary talents who do well, Good write.
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Thanks, Grossmutti.
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Intrigueing
A good descriptive piece, both factual and flattering. Good luck in the publishing department. I like easy listening music (among many other types) and his are good. Reading the above comments, I remember how personal and individual music tastes are. Thank you for sharing!!! -
Very Good!
I listened a bit, and really like it. Quite cool for you to promote his work. -
Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate it.
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An eloquent and intelligent write about this ordinary/extraordinary man. I just listened to the first improvised music and found it quite moving and exellent seeing as it was improvised. I would never have guessed if I hadn't known. I'm going to listen to them all and save them in windows media.
I'm going to tell you about another ordinary/extraordinary man soon when I've written about him in your contest.
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Thanks a lot, Capital.
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Hmmm. very interesting, sounds like Sean is a talented and humble person- hope he carries on making music! Oh, and you write very fluidly, very pleasant to read!
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I left one comment last night but today I listened to about 5 more things including the first and last item or opus 5. Didn't particularly care for the beginning of opus 5 but loved the last part 5.13a I believe it is. The other music is not something you find yourself humming after you've heard it, but I enjoy music like that to listen to, particularly when I'm working or writing or doing something else. It was just pleasantly melodic and very listenable.
Paul -
I'm glad you enjoyed it, really. The more people listen and like it, the better. Thank you.
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Well, just got my first taste of the music with Vegas Blues and I have to say I liked it a lot. Very peaceful and easy to listen to - restful and yet I found I had to listen to it, it was so melodic. Will be hearing some more tomorrow.
Paul
Edited on Aug 27 because ''. -
Actually, like SmokeBox says, I don't think it's true. Besides, I said 'true artists', those who really act like artists. And trust me, Sean is living proof that what you say isn't true. A real musician will always see how they can improve and that makes them be maybe aware of their talent yet not so proud.
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I'm glad you find it pleasant. I think the way people who don't know much about music see it is very important, because if he manages to publish it it won't be just music critics that buy it... so thanks.
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sage in minor
not much to say here. your article is crisp and the music therein linqued is ... pretty to my non-musically educated ear. pleasant.
By the by, I also like the comment "there are no ordinary lives ... only ordinary shells". i don't think its always true, but i am pleased that it is often so. -
There are no ordinary lives ... only ordinary shells ... hope this gets published too ... it was a lovely tribute to the extraordinary in all of us
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Aww, that's sweet! I play the piano and listen to music pretty much 24/7, so I'll check him out. I'm sure he'll appreciate this.
Keep writing, stay happy
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Awesome!! I enjoyed the story, will check the links out later!
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You might wish to re-consider the section below.....
"with the well-known modesty typical of true artists"
I'm not aware that modesty has an correlation with artistic ability. Anyone who has a great artistic talent is likely to be aware of it and quite proud of it. -
Thank you, Belle.
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Thank you. I'm sure you'll love his music
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Interesting creative way to advertise. I clicked because I am a computer programmer and love music. Not what I expected.
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Right...
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This was an interesting review and promotion of sorts. I am a great fan of classical music. When I taught, I always kept classical music playing in the background-it just added ambiance to the atmosphere and I felt like encouraged a calmness amongst the students. I look forward to listening to the music you've attached links to. I'll try to IM you back afterwards.~vj
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I hope this does get published....you are a very talented writer by the way. Good luck and thanks for sharing!
~Brandi~ -
Verty, very interesting.
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Novel marketing
Interesting the ways we are communicating these days. Whoever would have thought of sending a message about a composer both to a Romanian magazine and a poetry website! Novel and creative thinking. -
Thanks.
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This is really cool! I love hearing stories like this! (Oh yes, for the state of problems understanding above, I perfectly understand this!). I love your beginning, it's so catchy.
Great job on this! I hope it gets published!
~lavender shadows~ -
You're the 3rd one who says that. No one's answering me
. WHAT don't you guys understand? I want to make it understandable...
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This is so cool. I don't actually understand iy but, I understand it a little bit.
Keep in touch,
Danylion13 -
thats pretty weird...but i like.
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Thank you, Ray, I'm so glad you liked it Isn't his music just... great? Thanks for your support.
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If you think making music is just recreation, tell me, do you do it too? I mean, I guess it is, but at times you need to work for that too.
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WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just heard the 1st song and it is so good!!!!!
I loved it, it's excellent
Maria
PS: sorry i can't hear more because my brother is watching tv and i'm not allowed move it anywhere else but the 1st one was really excellent -
So do I, this is great!!!!!! And now i will atepmt to listen to this wonderful music then, I really liked this, thanks
Maria -
I will go and check out the link in a while, it always amazes me the amount of talent that is hidden behind the seemingly normal facades of the day to day people that we meet, I am glad there are the likes of yourself who recognise this.
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Thank you so much. I think he just needs more support than he gets from the others. Maybe comments like yours will help him. Thank you.
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Very nice
This was very interesting and I'm sorry I ended up closing it out when I closed out the music page. I had to come back so I could let you know I really liked it. I hope he does get motivated to publish his work. Thank you for sharing this with us. 
Joyce (sunny day)
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No no i ment my friends are losers...
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They're not losers. But thanks for the comment, maybe it can motivate him 
I know, I have my cruel moments. A lot of your friends? Oh well... anyway thanks.
Edited on Aug 19 because 'emoticon'. -
OOOO SO GREAT remminds me alot of my friends...what losers they are...so much money they will make
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Yep, I do know him personally I think he's one of my best friends I'm glad you liked it and thank you for the comment, I'm sure you'll enjoy his music too, I definitely love it .
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It sounds as if you know this man personally...hmm if you don't then you've done an even greater job at writing about him!
I especially liked how you talked about the advertisment and normal looking people being some of the most extrordinary. I think i'll follow these link now hehe I wonder though...why the guy didn't like it? Looks fine to me!!! Better than fine hehe -
Thanks for your thoughts. Just asking, but what do you think was confusing? I could fix it. I want people to get to know him, not get confused. Thanks for your honesty.
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i like this a lot. it is a bit confusing but a very good piece. It reminds me of one of my friends. But keep writing well
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Thank you for the comment. And if you check the site, we'd be both very glad (I and Sean). Hope you enjoy it
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Interesting read. Will check out the web site too. Who know what lurks behind the face of man? For sharing this this with us, thank you.
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There are none so simple but those who refuse to live the life God has given them. Thanks for the reminder that the Sean in all of us can blossom with the creativity that God gives to each of us.
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Sounds interesting and for me even more so since I view the creation of music with a feeling of envy. You have portrayed this well
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You have done a very good job of portraying Sean. He sounds very talented and dedicated to his music. Good luck to you both!
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I enjoyed the well written editorial. People as whole, are much deeper than appearances, you've dug into this seemingly ordinary person and showed to what depth the human psyche reaches. I enjoyed the read.
~Dee -
Well You have written very well about this man and I feel as though I know him, he sounds a lot like my son. You have done well with protraying him and gifted and talented. Wonderfully written and I enjoyed reading it, since it sounded so familiar to me. My son is a lot like this man and has music dreams and cd's that haven't sold. Great job on this and thanks for sharing it.
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