WBAA's John Clare recently spoke with Chelsea Tipton II, Music Director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas, about guest conducting the Celebration of Black History Indianapolis Symphony performance, Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 pm at the Hilbert Circle Theater in Indianapolis.
Learn more about the concert here.
American conductor Chelsea Tipton, II has won over audiences and critics alike with his vibrant musicality, accessibility, versatility and extraordinary commitment to Arts education. Tipton is now celebrating his eighth season as Music Director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas in Beaumont. In addition to his work here in Beaumont he is the Principal Pops Conductor of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra also recognized Tipton with their first annual Aspire Award in October of 2013. 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 April of 2014 and in October of 2014 he was honored to receive the Community Spotlight Award from Capital One Bank for community leadership.
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.
The 2016-17 season sees Tipton working with the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and continuing his work with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Tipton has conducted in Carnegie Hall conducting the Sphinx Competition Showcase gala concert that was the culmination of a ten-city tour with the orchestra. Other highlights include 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.”