Maestro's Notes

I am so excited about the start of our Pops series this year.  I attended Eastman School of Music for one of my music degrees, and while there I became friends with an amazing trumpet player.  Trumpeter Byron Stripling introduced me to the complexities of Jazz.  Over the years, we have worked together numerous times.  When he played with the Symphony of Southeast Texas several years ago, the … [Read more...] about Maestro’s Notes: Ella & Louis, Great Friends – Great Music

I just love this time of the year. Orchestras all around the country are preparing to begin their seasons. We have another amazing season ahead for the SOST. It is hard to believe that this is my 10th season; to see the growth that the orchestra has made over that span and how the community continues to embrace our orchestra through their support. So often we spend so much time playing music by … [Read more...] about Maestro’s Notes: New York, New York… Jazz Meets Classics

A word from Maestro Chelsea Tipton ~ Celebrating 10 Years! Serving as Music Director for your Symphony of Southeast Texas is the highlight of my musical career. The orchestra continues to amaze me with their talents, dedication, and sense of adventure. The following outlines the music and artists we have planned for next season. I look at this as a wonderful present; my good friend Byron … [Read more...] about Maestro Chelsea Tipton Celebrates 10 Years

This season we have world-class soloists both on the pops side and with the classical series. We will be sharing the stage with the outstanding percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, Tomoko Kanamaru on the piano, and all the way to the Men of Motown, the Symphony of Southeast Texas has something for you. This will be our biggest and best season as we celebrate 65 years of bringing great music to … [Read more...] about Fanfares & Festivals – Our 65th Anniversary Season

“Russian Nights” will be a special treat for our concert goers of Southeast Texas on April 16. We will kick the concert off with the bombastic “Festive Overture” by Dimitri Shostakovich. Joining us on this program will be the Symphony of Southeast Texas Chorus on two selections, the “Polovetsian Dances” by Alexander Borodin the wonderful “Chichester Psalms” by Leonard Bernstein. Bernstein … [Read more...] about Russian Nights

Our third Classics Series program is special treat where we will explore the music of some of our very own American composers. I have a great passion for the music of American composers and their influence on the European music scene. Oftentimes when we think of American music we think of jazz, but the interesting aspect of this program is that there is not jazz in any of the music that we are … [Read more...] about American Classics and a Swingin’ Pops concert for 2016

After the great success of our opening concert, “Latin Treasures,” and the “Symphony at Shangri La” performance, we are super excited about our upcoming second Classics Series concert. We are going to continue our journey around the world as we head to Germany. We will be featuring two members of our very own Symphony of Southeast Texas, Thomas Schroeder and Sonya Matoussova on the Vivaldi Duo … [Read more...] about The Journey Continues…

Well, it is time to kick off another season with the Symphony of Southeast Texas! I could not be more excited about this season’s offerings as we take the SOST around the world on a musical journey. We will visit Latin America, Germany, Russia and the United States. Our journey begins with music from our neighbors to the south in Mexico. What I love about this music is the colorful use of … [Read more...] about SOST, Around the World