David Braid - Biography   David was one of the SPNM's 2001-2004 short-listed composers, awarded for his work for chamber orchestra: 'Cause and Reaction'. In 2005 David completed his first film score, for the Anglo-Polish co-production, 'Compartment', directed by Milan Babic, (www.compartmentfilm.com). In November 2007 David was chosen as one of the Courvoisier/Observer 'The Future 500' - a list of 500 up and coming 'outstanding people in their field' (featured in a special supplement in the Observer on 25 November). David's first CD - a setting of the poem 'Mañana' ('Morning') by Pablo Neruda for soprano (Grace Davidson) and string quartet (The Tippett Quartet) is currently available via both the composer's and the quartet's website: www.davidbraid.net and www.tippettquartet.co.uk The title work on the disc, 'Morning' will be given its UK premiere at the Wigmore Hall on 6th July 2008. This disc also features the piece 'Returns and Retorts' for 'cello and piano, performed by eminent Russian 'cellist Leonid Gorokhov and well-known composer/pianist Huw Watkins. In addition to UK performances, David has had works played in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the US and Poland. In February 2006, six of Braid's works (including four world premieres) were featured at the concert entitled 'Narrative and Stasis' at the Manggha Centre of Japanese Art and Technology in Cracow. David has recently completed a solo 'cello piece – 'Melodia' – specially written for an entrant to the 2007 edition of BBC Young Musician of the Year. Other recent works include 'One Year Lighter' – a dual-version (English and Polish) setting of five poems by Polish poet Ewa Sonnenberg, see: www.sonnenberg.pl/ for soprano and guitar. David's book/CD 'Play Classical Guitar' was published in the UK and the USA in 2001 by Backbeat books. The book entered its second edition (in Spanish) in 2005 and is now in consultation for a French language edition. Education: M.Litt. (Composition), Oxford University, St. Anne's College. M.Mus. (Composition), Royal College of Music, London. Private study, Prof. Zbigniew Bujarski, Cracow, Poland (Fugue/Counterpoint). Diploma (Composition/Conducting), Cracow Academy of Music, Poland. Dip.RCM. (Composition/Guitar), Royal College of Music, London. Awards: Chosen as one of the 2007 Courvoisier/Observer 'The Future 500' Sir Arthur Bliss/PRS Foundation funding for production of CD, Morning, 2006. Fine Arts Sinfonia Composition Prize, 2005. Waterson Scholarship, Oxford University, 2004. Oppenheim/Downes Memorial Scholarship, 2003. University Graduate Scholarship, Oxford University, 2002. Chameleon Composers' Group Prize London, 1999. John Longmire Prize for Composition, Royal College of Music, London,1998. Composition Prize for Youth Orchestra, Murcia, Spain, 1994. Jack Morrison Prize for Guitar, Royal College of Music, 1993.