Timothy Rhea

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Timothy Rhea
Timothy Rhea (right) conducting a German chamber music ensemble in Munich, Germany, May 2007.
Born	Timothy Brett Rhea 1967
Other name(s)	Tim Rhea
Occupation	Director of Bands, Texas A&M University Conductor, Texas A&M Wind Symphony
Years active	1993—present
Spouse(s)	Jennifer Rhea (2001—present)
Official website

Dr. Timothy B. Rhea (b. 1967) is the Director of Bands at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. Timothy Rhea is the conductor of the Texas A&M Wind Symphony and the director of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. Additionally, he is the administrative head of the instrumental music department and contributing composer and arranger for all Texas A&M Band Department Ensembles. ^[1][2]

[edit] Early Life and Education

Timothy Rhea attended high school in DeKalb, TX, graduating from DeKalb High School in 1983. Rhea received a Bachelor of Music Education with honors from the University of Arkansas, privately studying conducting under Eldon A. Janzen. Timothy Rhea continued his education in music by earning a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Texas Tech University. While at Texas Tech, he studied with James Sudduth, served as an assistant conductor for the University Symphonic Band, and served as a graduate assistant director and musical arranger for the Texas Tech University Goin' Band from Raiderland. In May 1999, Timothy Rhea received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting and Composition from the University of Houston.^[3]

[edit] Tenure at Texas A&M

Timothy Rhea conducts the Texas A&M Wind Symphony during a light concert in Munich, Germany, May 2007.

Timothy Rhea poses with the Texas A&M Wind Symphony, October 2006.

Timothy Rhea joined the Texas A&M University band staff in June 1993. In 1995, Rhea was named conductor of the Texas A&M Symphonic Band, which would later be renamed as the Texas A&M Wind Symphony. Rhea became the Director of Bands of Texas A&M June 1, 2002. ^[4] Timothy Rhea has conducted the Wind Symphony at the Texas Music Educators Association, the College Band Directors National Association, and the American Bandmasters Association conventions. Upon several occasions, he has toured with the band throughout the state of Texas, including performances at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, the Wortham Center in Houston, as well as San Antonio and Austin. ^[5] Timothy Rhea began conducting the Wind Symphony in Europe in 1999, subsequently returning in 2001, 2004, and 2007. Currently, under his direction, the band has performed concerts in England, Ireland, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. ^[6][7] Timothy Rhea, with the Wind Symphony, has released a six volume march series, entitled “Legacy of the March”; a four volume band music album, “Wind Band Masterworks”; and, occasionally, live concert recordings. ^[8][9]

[edit] Carnegie Hall Debut Performance

On February 22, 2008. Timothy Rhea became the first director of Texas A&M to take a music ensemble to Carnegie Hall in New York City. Under his direction, the Wind Symphony performed Leonard Bernstein's Overture to Candide, Gustav Holst's First Suite in E-flat for Military Band, George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, featuring Dr. Kathryn Woodard, Donald Grantham's Southern Harmony, Percy Grainger's Children's March 'Over The Hills And Far Away', Frank Ticheli's Blue Shades, William Himes' version of Amazing Grace, Dr. David F. Wilborn's newly commissioned Concertante Caprice and John P. Sousa's The Freelance March. Their encore was John P. Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever. ^{[10] [11] [12] [13][14]}

[edit] Composing

Timothy Rhea has composed and arranged over 300 works. Since the 1990s, Rhea has arranged for university and public school marching bands and served as a clinician and composer. Some of Rhea’s commissions have been performed for the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the Cotton Bowl, and the Tournament of Roses Parade. His works are published with TRN Music Publisher, RBC Music Publisher, and Arrangers' Publishing Company. ^[15]

[edit] Awards

In July 1999, Timothy Rhea was awarded the Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year for the state of Texas from Phi Beta Mu. Former president of Texas A&M University, Dr. Ray Bowen, presented Rhea with the President’s Meritorious Service Award. ^[16]

[edit] Professional Affiliations

Dr. Kathryn Woodard, piano soloist for the Texas A&M Wind Symphony's concert, poses outside New York City’s Carnegie Hall. The poster announces the performance of Dr. Rhea's ensemble, which took place February 22, 2008.

• American Bandmasters Association (As of 2006, the youngest inducted member)
• National Band Association (member of Board of Directors)
• Texas Music Educators Association
• Texas Bandmasters Association
• College Band Directors National Association
• Big 12 Band Directors Association
• World Association of Symphonic Bands & Wind Ensembles
• American Society of Composers, Authors, & Publishers
• Phi Beta Mu
• Phi Mu Alpha
• Phi Kappa Phi
• Pi Kappa Lambda
• Kappa Delta Pi
• Kappa Kappa Psi (Honorary member)^[17]

[edit] Trivia

• Rhea has traveled to Europe over 20 times.
• Rhea was a personal friend of legendary American composer and arranger Alfred Reed.
• Timothy Rhea's wife, Jennifer, is an assistant principal at College Station Middle School.^[18]
• Rhea's travels as a clinician have included appearances in West Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, and the Pacific Northwest.
• Rhea recently composed "The Spirit of Excellence" march in honor of Mr. Bill Dean, conductor laureate of the Texas A&M Wind Symphony.
• Rhea is an avid proponent of Macintosh computer products.

[edit] References