Roy David Magnuson has composed music for orchestra, wind ensemble, concert band, chamber ensembles, vocalists, electroacoustic ensembles and films. His works have been performed throughout the United States at venues such as the Red Note Music Festival, the New Music Cafe, Illinois State University, Ithaca College, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, University of Texas-Arlington, University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, and by the Elan String Quartet, the Quasari Quartet, the Quad City Wind Ensemble and the Air Force Band of Mid-America.

Roy received his Bachelor of Music in Theory/Composition from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, his Master of Music in Composition from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, and his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Illinois. Private studies include Don Davis, David Maslanka, George Tsontakis, Jennifer Higdon, Steven Stucky, Karel Husa and Joan Tower.

Due to the success of his wind writing, in 2008 Magnuson was asked to contribute a chapter to the GIA publication, Composers on Composing for Band, Volume IV which is currently available via GIA Publications.

Roy is currently an instructional assistant faculty member at Illinois State University where he teaches freshman and sophomore theory and coordinates the freshman theory curriculum.

Magnuson is a member of ASCAP and his music is recorded on Albany Records.