Tipton to conduct Houston Symphony for Bush tribute
Published 11:35 am Monday, December 3, 2018
Special to The News
Chelsea Tipton II, conductor and music director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas, will conduct the Houston Symphony on Monday evening, as the city of Houston honors the late former President George H.W. Bush with a public memorial tribute at Hermann Square downtown.
In an issued statement, the SOST said Maestro Tipton was proud to be a part of the Celebration of Life of the late former President Bush.
“It is a distinct honor to assist my friends in the Houston Symphony as they honor their dear friend in a musical tribute,” Tipton said. “The Bushes were good friends of this orchestra.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner on Sunday released the following details about the tribute, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., in front of City Hall at 901 Bagby St.:
- Musical entertainment will be provided by the Houston Symphony.
- Gospel music star Yolanda Adams, a friend of Bush who sang at many of his birthday parties; country music star Clay Walker, who performed in 2014 at the 25th anniversary of Bush’s presidency; and country music stars Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, who befriended Bush in the 1960s, will perform.
- Clergy organized by Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston will offer shared prayers.
- Mistresses of ceremonies for the event will be community leaders and former news anchors Linda Lorelle and Shara Fryer.
At main entrance points to the event, volunteers will collect donations of new pairs of colorful socks to be given later as holiday presents to beneficiaries of the Interfaith Ministries Meals on Wheels program. Bush was well known for wearing colorful socks. Turner urges attendees to wear their own colorful socks in tribute to the late president.
Turner said, “President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush were leading lights among our caring Houston neighbors. I invite all Houstonians to join us at the tribute.”