Meet the Musician

Master Chief Musician Joe D. Brown,

Drum Major

Master Chief Musician Joe Brown is the drum major for the United States Navy Band. A native of Clinton, Miss., Brown began his music career as a euphonium player. After earning a Bachelor of Science in music education from Louisiana Tech University, he continued his studies at the University of Northern Colorado, earning a Master of Music in 1984. His instructors have included Raymond G. Young, Buddy Baker and Brian Bowman.

Brown was an active soloist, winning many awards including the 1984 International Brass Conference Euphonium Soloist Competition. Initially joining the Navy as a euphonium instrumentalist with the United States Naval Academy Band in 1984, Brown auditioned and won a similar position in the United States Navy Band two years later. He performed with the Concert and Ceremonial Bands on local concerts and national tours as well as many ceremonial engagements from full honors funerals to international tattoos.

While still performing as an instrumentalist, he assumed the assistant drum major position where he led the band during high level military and government ceremonies including parades, wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery and full honors arrival ceremonies at the White House and the Pentagon. In his current position as the Navy’s premier drum major, which he assumed in early 2007, he has led the Navy Band at such ceremonies as the state funeral for President Gerald R. Ford and the change of command ceremony for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.