Symphony of Southeast Texas

The Symphony of Southeast Texas, formerly the Beaumont Symphony Orchestra, was founded by the Beaumont Symphony Society in 1953. The first performance, held on May 12th of that year, was the start of the Beaumont Symphony Society's mission to advance and promote a further appreciation of symphonic music, and to present student concerts to further the musical education of the region. Chelsea Tipton was appointed Music Director and Conductor effective with the 2009-2010 Symphony season. He graduated from Eastman School of Music in 1986 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music and obtained his Master's at the Northern Illinois University. Maestro Tipton came to the SOST after serving 7 seasons as resident conductor with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony of Southeast Texas is supported by hundreds of individuals and businesses from throughout the Southeast Texas region as well as by the Southeast Texas Arts Council and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Its season includes four Master Series Concerts plus a Pops Concert, a Holiday concert, four free Youth Concerts for area students, and a free Fourth of July concert in conjunction with the City of Beaumont's July 4th activities. The Symphony's 70-member Board of Directors is comprised of civic and business leaders from the Golden Triangle region. The Symphony's administrative staff includes an Executive Director, an Administrative Assistant, and a Director of Operations. The Symphony of Southeast Texas contracts approximately 65 musicians who audition for their positions and are paid for all season rehearsals and performances. Symphony musicians come from communities throughout Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. Many of the orchestra's principal musicians are on the faculty of Lamar University and several Lamar University students who perform in the orchestra receive Symphony scholarships. The Symphony of Southeast Texas is supported by the state and national award-winning Symphony League of Beaumont. The League provides generous financial support to the Symphony as well as logistical support for educational programming and concert production. Open to any person interested in working on behalf of the Symphony of Southeast Texas, the Symphony League of Beaumont boasts a membership of over 500 people. Southeast Texas region as well as by the Southeast Texas Arts Council and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Its season includes four Master Series Concerts plus a Pops Concert, a Holiday concert, four free Youth Concerts for area students, and a free Fourth of July concert in conjunction with the City of Beaumont's July 4th activities.