Magic was in the air Saturday, with a near-capacity crowd clapping and dancing and, on cue, shouting out “Mambo” with a ferocity that even took Tipton back.

Sue White, MLive.com

Led by Chelsea Tipton II, music director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas, the orchestra played five very different pieces with energy and precision at its Saturday night concert at the Midland Center for the Arts.

Tipton proved an affable dynamo, bringing the best out of the orchestra and persuading the audience to jump in at a key point in the second half’s major work, Bernstein’s “West Side Story — Symphonic Dances.”

Roger Bryant, Midland Daily News/February 20, 2012

Chelsea Tipton II on Friday night in Ashland turned what was supposed to be an audition into something more like a triumph……… Tipton led the orchestra in stoking the coals without let-up through all five movements. The ball scene was crazed with frenetic energy, the scene in the country relaxed but disturbing. The timpani-driven march to the scaffold was played with rising, nightmarish power followed by the pizzicato notes of the severed head rolling into a waiting basket.

The adrenalin-charged finale with its witches and monstsers was exhilarating, and even after the end the excitement hung in the air.

Bill Varble, Mail Tribune, September 27, 2009

”Chelsea Tipton II, on loan from the Toledo Symphony, where he is resident conductor, deftly led the orchestra through the score’s brash textures and complicated cross-rhythms and kept the ensemble tightly unified.”

Allan Kozinn, New York Times / May 16, 2006

“…played to a full house of hundreds of enthusiastic youths from Detroit, Ann Arbor and throughout southeast Michigan. Both concerts were conducted under the masterful baton of Chelsea Tipton II, this year’s talented guest conductor.”

Sphinx Organization Newsletter / 2006 Spring Issue, Vol. 7 #2.

“The Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, comprised of top Sphinx Competition alumni, will perform under the direction of Maestro Chelsea Tipton II. Maestro Tipton, a sought-after guest conductor, is Resident Conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.”

Jesse JJ Jame, Music Industry Newswire / Thursday, 6 Sep 2007

The New York Times applauded Tipton for “… [leading] sweeping and vibrant performances of ‘Rhapsody’ and ‘An American in Paris.’”

Anthony Tommasini, New York Times / May 10, 2005

Speaking of the PSO, it opened the evening with a brief program with the Toledo Symphony’s resident conductor Chelsea Tipton II at the helm. Tipton was a delightful choice for this Community Partners Concert. He charmed the crowd with his warm demeanor and introduced a feeling of good will befitting an event where all proceeds are donated to local charities.

Tipton encouraged audience participation during Leonard Bern-stein’s “Overture to West Side Story” and they enthusiastically obliged. The PSO, Warwick, Castelli and Tipton created a musical montage that was a perfect fit for this charitable event.

By Rosa Colucci, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette / Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Chelsea Tipton, an ebullient expert in gospel music (”he conducts the most joyous noise of all” – Boston Herald), leads the ASO and gifted singers from across metro Atlanta in this annual celebration that will lift your spirit and rock your soul. Sponsored by BellSouth.

12/16/2005 through 12/17/2005 / Atlanta Symphony Hall

“Chelsea got his start in Cincinnati and worked with our youth orchestra when he was studying at CCM and has gone on to conduct in Cleveland, Chicago, Atlanta and other major cities,” said Anne Cushing-Reid, CSO manager of educational activities. “He’s a very special guy - he has a real drive and ambition and excels at outreach because of his talent, charisma and ability to teach audiences.”

Cincinnati.Com » Community Press & Recorder » Symphony bring Classical Roots to Forest Park
Updated: 6:33 pm | Tuesday, June 10, 2008