I’m a number 1 best-selling album composer and songwriter, and an award-winning West End musical director. I live on and work from the historic waterfront of my hometown, Ipswich in Suffolk.
composer & songwriter
I compose music for theatre, dance, media and events, and write lyrics and music for songs. I play, record and produce tracks from a home studio. Whilst I can pastiche any genre, I have an elegant, emotive and unique style of my own. My album Lights of original music and songs reached Number 1 in the UK Easy Listening Album chart in December 2020.
My Music
LISTEN TO MY ALBUM
“Francis succeeds in combining musicality, charm, care, wit, invention and just all round kindness in everything he does. I am very happy to say that I have loved working with him on a number of occasions. He also has that certain something in his composing too - it’s the indefinable quality of originality and style.”
Mike dixon, Musical Supervisor
musical director & arranger
As an exceptionally experienced musical director, I create a calm and positive environment to empower performers and musicians to express and be themselves. I enjoy collaborating as part of a creative team, able to take an artistic and business lead. I produce large scale music for small scale productions. I specialise in combining boutique ensembles of live musicians with dynamic backing tracks of industry-leading virtual instruments, to create an authentic, colourful and critically acclaimed audience experience.
“Mr Goodhand leads the cast and band with energy, clarity, and aplomb. Under his leadership, all the subtleties of the score are fully realized, and the audience is able to enjoy an effortless ride.”
Ron Melrose, Music Supervisor, Jersey Boys
performer & practitioner
I play the piano with creativity and flair. I’m a sight-reader and accompanist; I’m an improviser, working fast in a rehearsal room and studio, with the skill to adapt and refine to a brief; and I play by ear, transcribing music in the minutest detail, able to reproduce exact scores and rearrange for bespoke instrumental lineups. I’m a passionate educator, sharing my love of music with all ages, devising and leading workshops exploring its powerful and transformative effect.
“Francis has always impressed me. He brings an outstanding level of understanding and care for all of the scores he has worked on for me. His rapport, empathy and respect for everyone he works with have always been second to none and this is perfectly evident in the quality of his delivery of the music he is entrusted with, whether as a Musical Director or as a player and furthermore as a composer and arranger of his own materials.“
Gary Hind, Musical Supervisor
Recent Credits
Recent theatre credits include musical director for the UK tours of Tell Me On A Sunday starring Jodie Prenger and Jersey Boys, and Nick Winston’s productions of Carousel and Cats at Kilworth House; and arranger and musical director for Top Hat and Gypsy at The Mill at Sonning, with Gypsy winning Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards 2023. I’ve been musical director and arranger for nineteen pantomime seasons, including Liverpool’s Capital of Culture Pantomime at Liverpool Empire, Cinderella starring Cilla Black. And I was musical director for Mrs Henderson Presents at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto, and for The Hurly Burly Show at The Duchess Theatre in London’s West End.
"All credit too to Francis Goodhand’s musical direction. Familiar though the music is, it feels as though we’re hearing it for the very first time."
The Stage, Cats, Kilworth House Theatre
