JAMES STRAWTHER
Executive Director/ Director of Operations
(Contact for orchestra personnel, orchestra auditions, operations)
Jamie Strawther has served SOST since 1998 in a variety of capacities, each vital to the operational and musical functions of the orchestra. A seasoned musician, Jamie is principal of the percussion section playing a variety of instruments. As personnel manager/librarian, he makes sure the right instrumentalists are on stage to play the various pieces we hear, while making sure they all have music to play from SOST’s vast library. Serving the technical side of operations as stage manager, Jamie leads the team of stage technicians who makes sure the lights, sound and staging of our concerts meet the expectations of Maestro Tipton and the musicians. Jamie was promoted to Executive Director in 2024.
MAESTRO CHELSEA TIPTON, II
Music Director
Sponsored by Becky Mason and Family for the 2023-24 Season
Chelsea Tipton II is a renowned American conductor who has earned widespread acclaim for his exceptional musicality, versatility, accessibility, and unwavering dedication to art education. He has held prominent positions as Resident Conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra for seven successful seasons and Associate Conductor of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra for four seasons. Currently, he serves as Music Director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas for his fifteenth season and Principal Pops Conductor with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra for his ninth season.
DEBBIE HIGGINS
Finance Manager/Box Office Manager (Contact for tickets, general information)
Debbie Higgins has been the Finance Manager and Box Office Manager since 2016. As the finance manager, this 30-year veteran of financial auditing makes sure the board and staff have accurate/timely information keeping the organization financially solvent. Debbie also helps patrons find the ideal seat, whether for the season, holiday or tickets to individual shows. You’ll find Debbie at the Julie Rogers Box Office prior to every concert.
MICHELLE WALKER
Marketing Director
Michelle came to SOST in 2018 with over 15 years of experience in advertising and marketing. With a Masters of Library Science degree, she was the Director of a corporate library for Omnicom Group, a global leader in marketing communications. She also was a school librarian in Garland ISD and Port Arthur ISD. When she is not with us at the Symphony of Southeast Texas, you can find her quilting.
BRIDGET PARKER
Production Assistant
Bridget joined us in 2023 to help with all the behind the scenes work in getting the music ready for the musicians. She is also a member of Triangle Stagecraft and IATSE Local 183 and helps get the stage ready for the concerts.