Both critics and other artists have recognized composer David Gaines (b. 1961) for his imaginative orchestrations and his uniquely international and eclectic style. His music, which has been performed across North America and Europe, includes two symphonies, concertos for baritone saxophone, trombone, and euphonium, plus a variety of chamber, choral, and electronic music.

Recordings are available on the Navona Records and Verda Stelo Music labels, the most recent of which is a newly remastered version of the long out-of-print 2001 orchestral album The Music Of David Gaines.

Notable performances include the world premieres of La Ora Ŝipo for SSAT choir and Ho, Mia Kor' for soprano and piano in Montreal; a performance of Symphony No. 1 ("Esperanto") in Bialistok, Poland, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Ludwig Zamenhof, inventor of the international language Esperanto; the premiere of Free Air for trombone and organ at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

A graduate of Northwestern University, American University, and the Peabody Conservatory of Music (where he earned a doctoral degree in composition), his awards include numerous ASCAP Standard and ASCAPlus Awards as well as first prize in the 1997 College Music Society Mid Atlantic Chapter Student Composers Competition and first prize at the World Esperanto Association's 1995 International Fine Arts Competition. In 2010, the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition selected Gaines’ Jubilee for euphonium and piano as one of the required semifinal round compositions.