Symphony of Southeast Texas Music Director
American conductor Chelsea Tipton, II has won over audiences and critics alike with his vibrant musicality, accessibility, versatility and extraordinary commitment to Arts education. As a sought-after guest conductor, Tipton has appeared with numerous major orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Houston Symphony, Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana (Palermo), Dohnanyi Symphony Orchestra (Budapest), Atlanta Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Louisiana Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony, Memphis Symphony, and the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra among others.
In addition to his role as Music Director of The Symphony of Southeast Texas, and Principal Pops Conductor of New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Tipton also served as Resident Conductor of the Toledo Symphony, and as Associate Conductor of the Savannah Symphony.
This season, when not on stage at the Julie Rogers Theater, Tipton can be found conducting the Detroit Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic, Boise Philharmonic, the York Symphony Orchestra, The Colour of Music Festival (Charleston, SC) and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Career Highlights
One highlight of Tipton’s career was conducting the Sphinx Competition Showcase gala concert in Carnegie Hall; the culmination of a ten-city tour with the orchestra. Another career highlight included being a last minute replacement for Robert Spano to conduct an all-Gershwin season finale with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. The New York Times applauded Tipton for ‘leading sweeping and vibrant performances of ‘Rhapsody’ and ‘An American in Paris.'”
A decided change in venue which spotlighted the maestro’s versatility occurred during the summer of 2011 when Tipton was chosen to accompany the pop artist Sting on an extensive European tour. This tour covered 15 countries where Tipton worked with 19 different European orchestras; his task was to prepare the musicians for the concerts. Tipton not only trained the orchestras, but also performed with Sting in concert in the Canary Islands, Granada, and Cap Roig, Spain.
In October of 2013, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra recognized Tipton with its first annual Aspire Award. This award identifies accomplished professional musicians who are African American or Latino who also demonstrate a tremendous commitment to community and inclusiveness. The Neches River Festival in Beaumont also honored Tipton with the Citizen of the Year 2014, and in October 2014, he was honored to receive the Community Spotlight Award from Capital One Bank for community leadership.
Education
Tipton earned a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance from the Eastman School of Music, with additional studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Tipton has also studied at the Conductors Retreat at Medomak, the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Hancock, Maine, and the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra Conductor’s Workshop under Mark Thakar. As an avid learner and leader, Tipton will continue to engage in professional opportunities in order to enrich his musicality, versatility, and commitment to arts education.
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