Timothy Rhea

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, 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.

Early Life and Education

Timothy Rhea attended high school in DeKalb, TX, graduating from [DeKalb Independent School District|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 Red Raider Band. In May 1999, Timothy Rhea received his Doctoral of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting and Composition from the University of Houston.

Tenure at Texas A&M

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. 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 tour 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. 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. On February 22, 2008. Timothy Rhea will have been the first director of Texas A&M to take a music ensemble to Carnegie Hall in New York City. 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.

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 Association, the Cotton Bowl, and the Tournament of Roses Parade. His works are published with TRN Music Publisher, RBC Music Publisher, and Arranger’s Publishing Company.

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.

Professional Affiliations

• 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)