The Symphony of Southeast Texas

The S.O.S.T.

The Symphony of Southeast Texas (SOST) has a 70-year history of providing outstanding music and grand performances in and around Southeast Texas. Our community is blessed to have such a robust, professional level orchestra offering performances throughout the year. Whether it’s date night, girls’ night out, a holiday treat or maybe you’re just a lover of the arts, we recommend putting the S.O.S.T.’s entire season on your calendar!

Upcoming Performances

The History

Formerly the Beaumont Symphony Orchestra, the SOST 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.

The Standard Symphony Season

The standard symphony season includes four Classics Series Concerts plus two Pops Concerts, a Holiday concert, a Youth Education Concert for area students and a free Fourth of July concert in conjunction with the City of Beaumont’s activities. For upcoming shows and to purchase season tickets, read more here.

The Conductor

In 2009, after a two-year search and many auditions, Chelsea Tipton II was appointed the new Music Director. 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. Maestro Tipton came to the SOST after serving seven seasons as resident conductor with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. He has generated a contagious enthusiasm in the community for the Symphony. For more on Maestro Chelsea Tipton II, read here.

The Orchestra

The orchestra is currently made up of approximately 70 musicians from communities throughout Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana who audition for their positions and are paid for all season rehearsals and performances. 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 Chorus made its debut with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Ode to Joy, at Maestra Diane Wittry’s farewell performance October 26, 2000. The Symphony of Southeast Texas Chorus also performs at our Holiday concert and in our Classics Series Finale.