Symphony of Southeast Texas

The Symphony of Southeast Texas (SOST) is a distinguished musical institution that has been enchanting audiences in Beaumont since its inception in 1953. Originally established as the Beaumont Symphony Orchestra, it was founded by the Beaumont Symphony Society with the primary mission of promoting and furthering the appreciation of symphonic music in the region. The Society also aimed to present student concerts to enhance the musical education of Southeast Texas. The orchestra's first performance took place on May 12, 1953, marking the beginning of a long-standing tradition of musical excellence. Over the years, the SOST has been under the musical direction of several esteemed conductors, each contributing to the orchestra's development and success. These include Jay Dietzer (1953-1957), Edvard Findler (1957-1970), Dr. Joseph Carlucci (1971-1990), Diane Wittry (1991-2000), Christopher Zimmerman (2001-2007), and Chelsea Tipton II (2009-present). Dr. Carlucci, during his tenure, was instrumental in creating a symbiotic relationship between the orchestra and Lamar University, where he was a faculty member. This partnership facilitated the recruitment of students and faculty to perform with the orchestra. He also expanded the orchestra's audience by diversifying its repertoire to include genres such as jazz and by introducing popular outdoor Pops concerts. Moreover, Dr. Carlucci initiated the annual Youth Education Concerts, which continue to benefit nearly 5,000 students each season. Diane Wittry's strong commitment to arts education saw the expansion of the Symphony's educational programs. Under her leadership, the Symphony started the Side-By-Side program, allowing young musicians to perform alongside professional symphony players, and the Adopt-A-Musician program, which brought orchestra members into local elementary school classrooms. In 2009, Chelsea Tipton II took over as Music Director after a comprehensive search. Tipton, who holds 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, brought new energy to the community's engagement with the Symphony. The orchestra consists of approximately 70 musicians from Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana, who audition for their roles and are compensated for rehearsals and performances. Notably, many of the principal musicians are faculty members at Lamar University, and some students from the university who perform in the orchestra receive Symphony scholarships. The Symphony of Southeast Texas Chorus, which debuted in 2000, performs at various concerts, including the Holiday concert and the Classics Series Finale. The Symphony is governed by a 70-member Board of Directors, comprising civic and business leaders from the Golden Triangle area, and is supported by an administrative staff that includes an Executive Director and directors for finance, operations, and marketing. The SOST's season typically features four Classics Series Concerts, two Pops Concerts, a Holiday concert, a Youth Education Concert, and a free Fourth of July concert in collaboration with the City of Beaumont's activities. Financially, the Symphony is supported by the Symphony League of Beaumont, which was founded in 1955 and provides significant financial contributions and essential services. The League's initiatives, such as the annual String Competition, Youth Guild, Symphony Belle, Junior Escort, and Debutante programs, nurture future generations of musicians and supporters. The League's annual Symphony Ball is a major fundraiser and a prominent social event. Additional support for the SOST comes from individuals, businesses, the Southeast Texas Arts Council, and the Texas Commission on the Arts, ensuring that the community can enjoy world-class performances at affordable prices. The Symphony of Southeast Texas continues to commit to its mission of offering educational, entertaining, and culturally enriching programs of the highest artistic quality. With the promise of being "Good to the last note," the Symphony looks forward to many more years of musical excellence and community engagement.