Rhea Jacobus

Lecturer, music

Contact
Department of Performing Arts
Email: rjacobu@clemson.edu

Rhea Jacobus, long-standing principal flute of the Spartanburg Philharmonic, has been teaching a variety of courses such as Music Appreciation and Theory in the Performing Arts Department at Clemson for 20 years. She has been a flute and classroom instructor at Erskine, Presbyterian, Anderson University, and Furman, as well as at the Governor’s School for the Arts summer program. She founded the Flute Choir at Clemson and received funding which allowed the group to enjoy performances at the Haywood Mall, local churches, and other formal functions at Clemson.

At Erskine she created and conducted the first Student Orchestra at the University. She has served as a coach and adjudicator in many different venues throughout the region. Dr. Jacobus attended New England Conservatory for her Masters and received her Doctorate in Performance from Ball State University with a minor in Theory.

Rhea is the founder of the Carolina Chamber Ensemble, a group which was invited to premier a new composition in Chicago at the National Flute Association; along with Cris Lance (also performing on this concert) the Carolina Chamber Ensemble has performed in many locations in the Upstate with varied instrumentation and programs. Dr. Jacobus was given the honor of working together with the late Bob Powell on a publication of church music for flute and organ, having been asked by him to provide the articulation markings for this edition. She has been a featured soloist with the Spartanburg Philharmonic several times, including in Winterthur, Switzerland, and also at the conductor Sarah Ioannides’ last concert with the Philharmonic. Dr. Jacobus has performed at many locations in the Upstate as well as at Piccolo Spoleto with the Philharmonic Flutes, her ensemble with Sally Frick and Brennan Szafron. Her treasured companion in all performances is her wonderful Haynes Flute, whose acquisition was made possible by her beloved father.

You can usually find Rhea somewhere outdoors, taking photographs, gardening, and hiking. She is a serious dog trainer and competitor in obedience and agility, and lives in Pendleton with her husband Tim and their three dogs Arco, Azha, and Siri.