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 MM and DM degrees in composition from Florida State University, as well as a BA in music education from Central College, which named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 1983. 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 trade publishers, as well as his personal imprint Dacker Music. His output includes numerous works for concert band and orchestra, instrumental solos and ensembles, church music, piano solos, and scores for ballet, opera, and musical theater. Many of his contemporary classical compositions have been recorded for commercial release by such ensembles as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Filharmonie Brno, Trio Casals, and Juventas New Music Ensemble. Having taught in public schools in Iowa, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington, Dr. Brown now lives in the Puget Sound area, where he is composer-in-residence with the Shoreline Concert Band and Bothell Brass. Retired from teaching, he can often be found in the mountains pursuing his other passions, hiking and climbing.