Dr. Colin J. Brown holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Arts with a focus on Musicology from Texas Tech University (2024). His dissertation, "The Theatre Organ: A Study of a Unique Performance Practice and Musical Culture in the Twenty-First Century," chaired by Dr. Lauryn Salazar focuses the theatre organ's history and performance practice including music specifically written for silent films. A chapter of this dissertation is dedicated to the extensive collection of these gems held at the Library of Congress. While at Texas Tech he also earned a certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Dr. Brown has a Master of Music in Musicology from Texas Tech University which he earned in 2020. His thesis titled "The Song of the Devil: Representation of Evil across the Seventeenth Century Stage in London" chaired by Dr. Stacey Jocoy delves into music composed to accompany witches portrayed in early modern English theatre. Dr. Brown also holds a Master of Music in Historical Performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music-Baroque Flute (2009) and a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Western Michigan University (2006).
Dr. Brown has received several awards, including the Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship (2023-24) and the Earl L. Russell Award in Historical Performance from Oberlin Conservatory and he was a semifinalist in the National Flute Association Baroque Flute Competition in 2009.
His extensive teaching experience includes the courses "Critical Issues in Arts and Culture" (Fall 2018) and "Introduction to Gregorian Chant Interpretation and Technique" (2010-2015). He also provides ADA compliance tutoring in music history.
Dr. Brown has presented his research at multiple conferences, including the 48th World Conference of the International Council for Traditional Music and Dance (2025), the Graduate Student Research Conference at Texas Tech University (2019), and the Musicology Colloquium at Texas Tech University (2018). He has also participated in poster presentations, such as the Texas Tech Graduate School Poster Competition (2024, 2023) and the Ignite! TTU School of Music Collage Concert (2022). Dr. Brown's technical skills include harpsichord tuning and maintenance, as well as Gregorian chant interpretation and chironomy. He served as a harpsichord technician at Texas Tech University (2019-2023) and assistant harpsichord technician at Oberlin Conservatory (2007-2009). Dr. Brown was also the organist and co-director of music at The Shrine of Christ the King in Chicago, IL (2010-2015), where he directed choirs and organized concerts.