Timothy Rhea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 79th president of theAmerican Bandmasters Association | |
| In office 2016–2017 | |
| Preceded by | Terry Austin |
| Succeeded by | Gary Smith |
| Director of bands,Texas A&M University | |
| Assumed office 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Ray E. Toler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1967-06-18)June 18, 1967 (age 57) |
| Spouse | Jennifer Rhea |
| Occupation | Conductor |
| Years active | 1993-present |
| Website | Texas A&M faculty bio |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | Texas State Guard[1] |
| Rank | Colonel |
Dr.Timothy Brett Rhea isdirector of bands and music activities atTexas A&M University. As director of bands, he leads the university band program, serves as conductor of theTexas A&M Wind Symphony, and coordinates theFightin' Texas Aggie Bandmarching band. As director of music activities, he administratively oversees the activities of the jazz, orchestra, and choral programs. Rhea also served as the 79th president of theAmerican Bandmasters Association from 2016-2017.
Rhea grew up in the music programs of the Texas public schools. He earned aBachelor of Music Education with honors from theUniversity of Arkansas as a private conducting student of Eldon Janzen. He earned the Master of Music in conducting fromTexas Tech University where he studied with the late James Sudduth. Rhea earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting and composition from theUniversity of Houston.
Rhea was named conductor of the Texas A&M Wind Symphony in 1995. During his tenure at Texas A&M University, he has conducted the Wind Symphony for conventions of the Texas Music Educators Association seven times, the College Band Directors National Association two times, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the Western International Band Clinic inSeattle, and theAmerican Bandmasters Association (he was the 2009 convention host), as well as in settings such asCarnegie Hall, theMeyerson Symphony Center and theWortham Center. He has also conducted the Wind Symphony during performances inIreland, theUnited Kingdom,Austria,Germany,Italy, and theCzech Republic.
Rhea's tenure with the Texas Aggie Band has included performances throughout the United States, including at theUnited States presidential inauguration in Washington and the inauguration of thegovernor of Texas inAustin, Aggie Band bowl appearances have included the Holiday, Cotton, Sugar, Independence, Chick-fil-A, Liberty, Texas, Music City, Gator, Belk and Alamo.
On February 22, 2008. Rhea took the Texas A&M Wind Ensemble toCarnegie Hall inNew York City. Under his direction, the Wind Symphony performedLeonard Bernstein's "Overture to Candide",Gustav Holst's "First Suite in E-flat for Military Band",George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" withKathryn Woodard at the piano,Donald Grantham's "Southern Harmony",Percy Grainger's "Over The Hills And Far Away",Frank Ticheli's "Blue Shades", David F. Wilborn's newly-commissioned "Concertante Caprice", andJohn P. Sousa's "The Freelance March". Their encore was Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever".[2][3][4][5][6]
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 theTexas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the College Band Directors National Association, theCotton Bowl Classic, and theTournament of Roses Parade. His works are published with TRN Music Publisher, RBC Music Publisher, andArrangers' Publishing Company.[7]
In July 1999, Rhea was awarded the Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year for the state of Texas fromPhi Beta Mu. Former president of Texas A&M University,Ray M. Bowen presented Rhea with the President's Meritorious Service Award in 2000.[7] He more recently oversaw the planning and construction of the new Texas A&M University Music Activities Center, which opened in 2019. In this facility, the Dr. Timothy B. Rhea Concert Rehearsal Hall was named in his honor.