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Eighteen year old David Smith is at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh. He was inspired to begin playing the flute just four years ago when he heard Debussy's L'aprés Midi d'un Faune.

David plays in many of his school's chamber groups, the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, plus he is an accomplished saxophonist. David has received scholarship offers from a number of music colleges and will study at the Royal College of Music with Jaime Martin from autumn 2008.

Amongst David's non-musical passions he loves shopping, clothes and shoes!

Final Thoughts

How did you feel when you heard you had reached the final?
When I heard my name being called out I was absolutely overwhelmed and shocked. A finalist in ´óÏó´«Ã½ Young Musician of the Year! I was totally gob smacked and I still am.

How did your family react?
My family was extremely exited and happy for me. My mum screamed down the phone she was so happy.

How did your music teacher/school react?
My flute teacher had a big grin and firmly shook my hand and looked a little pale but was really exited and everyone at school was so happy for me, I got lots of "well dones" and a nice welcome back..... a few drinks too.

How much time have you been playing to be ready for the final and how does this compare with your normal playing?
I have worked really hard for the final. I try not to do any more work than I usually would do because I find over working holds me back and doesn't allow me to progress as quickly. In the end though I think I have done a little more just because it so much fun.

What you would like to do in the short and long term with your music?
My dream is to become a soloist; I love chamber music and orchestral flute very much as well so I'm leaving my options open.

Do you have musical inspirations e.g. composers or players or friends?
My biggest musical inspiration is Emmanuel Pahud. I love his playing, and I admire what he has achieved in his career. His drive and energy is just phenomenal. My flute teacher and accompanist inspire me very much too. In fact I have so many inspirations it hard to name them all.

Do you have favourite contemporary music musicians, bands?
I would not say I have a favourite performer but I admire the Hebrides Ensemble.

What would you do with the prize money?
I would invest the prize money on my career and where ever the flute takes me.

Do you think younger people enjoy classical music as much as they could?
I don't think younger people enjoy classical music as much as they could because some have not been introduced to it and because of the stereotypical image that is associated with classical music i.e. for older people, not cool....posh etc....

How would you make your friends and other younger people want to come to a concert, or listen to classical music?
I think younger classical musicians who have more of an influence on younger people need to show younger people a wider range of classical music and maybe express the music in a different way too. I try doing this by mixing very catchy, fun music-which they are more used to with more detailed structured classical music and maybe tell them a little bit about the story behind it, something about the composer, to try to make them more involved in the music.

What are your other main passions in life (acting, film, etc)?
I love travelling and exploring the world and cultures. I enjoy socialising and meeting new people. I absolutely love the flute-clearly. But I'm very interested in other musical instrument's too, particularly the violin.