Symphony of Southeast Texas Music Director
Chelsea Tipton II is a highly esteemed American conductor recognized for his exceptional musicality, versatility, and unwavering commitment to arts education. He is currently in his seventeenth season as Music Director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas and his twelfth season as Principal Pops Conductor of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Recently appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra—his hometown ensemble—Tipton also serves on the conducting staff at the Interlochen Center for the Arts each summer.
His previous posts include seven seasons as Resident Conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and four seasons as Associate Conductor of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra. A sought-after guest conductor, Tipton has collaborated with leading orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Houston Symphony, Czech National Symphony Orchestra and Virginia Symphony, among many others. In 2011, he toured with Sting across fourteen European countries, performing with nineteen orchestras, and reunited with Sting for a special performance with the Greensboro Symphony in November 2021. In the current season, Tipton is engaged as guest conductor with the West Virginia Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, and New Haven Symphony Orchestra, in addition to his performances at the Julie Rogers Theater in Beaumont.
Tipton’s contributions to music and community have earned him numerous accolades. He was the featured honoree at the Gift of Life Champagne & Ribs Gala and the guest “Roastee” at the Spindletop Rotary Club Celebrity Roast. He received the Aspire Award from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and was named Citizen of the Year by the Neches River Festival in Beaumont. Additionally, Capital One Bank honored him with the Community Spotlight Award for his leadership in Beaumont. In a notable moment, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner selected Tipton to conduct the Houston Symphony Orchestra in a memorial concert honoring President George H.W. Bush. He has also performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City with the American Composers Orchestra, premiering works by African American composers, and in May 2023, conducted the ensemble in a special “Sonic Collective Ring Shout” performance at the Kennedy Center.
Tipton holds a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance from the Eastman School of Music. He pursued further studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and participated in esteemed professional development programs, including the International Conducting Workshop and Festival, the Conductors Retreat at Medomak, the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Hancock, Maine, and the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra Conductor’s Workshop with Markand Thakar. A passionate advocate for arts education, Tipton actively mentors college students pursuing careers in classical music and the arts.
Media
Maestro Chelsea Tipton II answers the question, What is Jazz, the topic for our 2020 Youth Education Concert that had to be cancelled. Discussion includes information about Scott Joplin, George Gershwin, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington.
