Thomas Rhea Associate Professor

B.M.E. Florida State University;

M.M., Ph.D. George Peabody College (now of Vanderbilt University)

He pioneered introduction of synthesizers internationally as a Moog Synthesizer clinician, documentation writer, marketing executive, and functional design consultant.

He has been a Keyboard Magazine columnist for 4+ years, and author of articles and reviews in juried venues such as Computer Music Journal.

He wrote 17 Owner’s Manuals for various brands of synthesizers, and coached rock and avant-garde luminaries in synthesis techniques. Conceived, oversaw the development of, and wrote the first original music for OxyLights, a 50 Kilowatt, seven story, permanent MIDI-based light and music installation recognized in the 1987 Guinness Book of World Records.

His Ph.D. Dissertation in Music, The Evolution of Electronic Musical Instruments in the United States (1972) is cited in multiple entries of The New Groves Dictionary of Musical Instruments and in The New Harvard Dictionary of Music. Lectured at The Smithsonian Institution, Bourges Festival, Harvard, MIT, Oberlin Conservatory, and other venues on this research, which is published in The Art of Electronic Music (1984).

He is an E-STAR Artist-Historian in Residence (2000-2001), Institute for Electronic Arts (IEA), School of Art and Design at Alfred University NYSCC, under aegis of the Rockefeller Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts.

His research is recognized by citations in The New Harvard Dictionary of Music (cf. "electronic instrument"), and by dozens of citations in The New Groves Dictionary of Musical Instruments. These constitute the two most respected standard reference books in the field of music." And, furthermore, " . . . he wrote some 12-15 Owner's Manuals (e.g. Minimoog, Micromoog, Sonic Six, etc.) for analog voltage controlled synthesizers, and introduced the synthesizer to pop and avant-garde musical literati and glitterati worldwide.

He conceived, helped to develop, and wrote the first music for OxyLights, the world's largest MIDI-based music and light show (Niagara Falls, NY), whilst at Moog Electronics, in behalf of Occidental Chemical Corporation. This multi-media extravaganza won a state of NY award for it's "I Love NY" theme."

He is a recent recipient of an E-STAR artist Residency at Alfred University for lecturing on the conjunction of music and technology, and is developing use of DVD technology to advance music pedagogy and artistry. He will return to Alfred in Spring, 2001 to complete this Residency, which is supported by the Rockefeller Foundation.

Every freshman at Berklee uses his MTEC 111 Handbook, which supports a required course in music technology.

He has lectured on his research at Harvard, MIT, Oberlin College, The Smithsonian Institution, and the Festival of Electro-acoustic Music in Bourges, France.