Amarillo is one of Texas’ major Panhandle cities and is the seat of Potter County. And while it is only the fifteenth largest city in Texas, it influences much of the regional cultural and politics. Some of its major institutions, such as the Amarillo Symphony are respected and supported throughout the county and surrounding areas. It is also one of the historic cultural institutions of the city and many of the guests who visit Amarillo are attracted to attending one of its performances. There are plenty of great places to stay in the city and they will have good information on this and other cultural attractions and entrainment venues.

The symphony was originally established in 1924 and at the time was founded as a 12 piece ensemble. This early manifestation was led by Miss Grace Hamilton and within its first eight years of existence, the company grew to a 56 musician membership. This is one of the largest growth rates ever experienced by a musical institution in the Amarillo regional area in that amount of time. However, this establishment, like all cultural and artistic entities, was not immune to the struggles of economic hardship during the 1930s and 40s. However, their commitment to excellence and belief in the importance of quality music in a society had helped keep them afloat, and while recent economic struggles have also affected it, the company is well supported by the community it represents.

The symphony is also focused on education and youth programs, which help to establish a new generation of quality music lovers and potential musicians in Amarillo. Many of the concerts are focused on family appreciation and incorporate the youth orchestra into the program. This is exemplified by the upcoming concert Discover Family, which will be performed on April 16 and 17. This is a major collaborative effort and will include performances by Amarillo Youth Orchestras, West Texas A&M University Choirs and the Amarillo Civic Chorus. Works by Stravinsky
 and Faure will be on the schedule.