Richard E. Brown, a native of New York State, has been active as a composer, arranger, and music educator for many years. His training includes M.M. and D.M. degrees in composition from Florida State University, as well as a B.A. in music education from Central College. His principal composition studies were with Carlisle Floyd, John Boda, and Charles Carter. He is a member of ASCAP and is represented in the catalogs of several publishers.

Dr. Brown's output includes numerous works for concert band and orchestra, instrumental solos and ensembles, church music, piano, ballet, opera, and musical theater. Having taught in public schools in Iowa, Texas, New Mexico, and Oregon, Dr. Brown now lives in Washington State, where he divides his time between writing and teaching. When not occupied with these, he can often be found in the mountains indulging his other passions, mountaineering and rock climbing.