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Helpful Tips & FAQs
Welcome to the Amarillo Symphony! Whether you’re attending your first concert or you’re a seasoned subscriber, we want every visit to be enjoyable and stress-free. Below you’ll find answers to common questions and helpful tips to ensure you feel comfortable, confident, and ready to enjoy a memorable night of music.
FAQS
Welcome to the Amarillo Symphony. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, here are a few tips to help you feel right at home and get the most out of the experience.
The term “classical music” holds a dual meaning. In a specific sense, “Classical” music refers to a distinct historical era, roughly spanning from 1730 to 1820, characterized by the balanced, clear, and elegant style of composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn. More commonly, however, “classical music” is an expansive umbrella term for the canon of Western art music, from its roots in Gregorian chant to the groundbreaking works of 21st-century composers.
A defining characteristic of this tradition is its reliance on musical notation. This sophisticated system allows composers to specify every aspect of a performance—from pitch and meter to the precise color and texture of the sound. This has enabled the creation of large-scale, intricate forms, such as the symphony, concerto, and sonata. From the intellectual rigor of a Bach fugue to the overwhelming emotional force of a Mahler symphony, classical music offers a deeply rewarding journey, using complex harmony, structure, and instrumentation to express the full spectrum of human experience.
A symphony orchestra is the most powerful and versatile large ensemble in Western classical music, renowned for its immense dynamic range and rich tonal palette. It is structured around four core families of instruments that blend to create a single, expressive entity. The strings—violins, violas, cellos, and double basses—form the lush, emotive heart of the ensemble. Providing a vibrant array of tonal colors are the woodwinds, such as flutes, oboes, and clarinets. The mighty brass section, with its trumpets, French horns, and trombones, delivers majestic power, while the percussion section provides rhythmic drive and dramatic impact.
To harness the collective power of these musicians, often numbering up to 100, a conductor is essential. The conductor not only sets the tempo but also shapes the musical interpretation, balances the sections, and guides the emotional arc of the performance. This unique combination of artistry and instrumentation allows the orchestra to perform the grandest works of the repertoire, from the complex architectural beauty of a symphony to the dramatic dialogue of a concerto featuring a soloist.
There is no dress code! We welcome you in the attire you feel comfortable in. Most people consider a concert by the Amarillo Symphony to be a special event, and tend to dress for the occasion – in suits and ties, or “business casual.” That said, you’ll see everything from cowboy hats to cocktail dresses!
Not at all. Whether you’re a seasoned symphony-goer or a curious first-timer, you are welcome here. The thrill of hearing a powerful piece of music for the first time, performed live by our talented musicians, is an experience for everyone.
Some people enjoy building anticipation by listening to a recording of the program in advance, while others prefer the pure discovery of the moment. Many also find that reading the stories in the program notes enhances their connection to the music. The choice is yours—the only requirement is an open ear!
We love it when our audience captures the excitement of a concert night! Please feel free to take pictures of the hall, your friends, and the stage before the music starts and during intermission.
To protect the magic of the live performance and show respect for our musicians and your fellow listeners, we ask that you turn off and put away all electronic devices during the performance itself. All forms of photography, video, and audio recording are prohibited while the orchestra is playing. Once the applause starts, feel free to capture the final bows!
Tickets may be purchased in person, over the phone, and online.
In person tickets may be purchased in advanced at the Amarillo Symphony office in Downtown Amarillo at 301 S. Polk St. Suite 700 or at the Civic Center Box Office at 401 S. Buchanan St. They may also be purchased in-person an hour before the performance at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts Box Office on the south side of the building.
Tickets may be purchased over the phone by calling the Amarillo Symphony office at 806.376.8782. Office hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
Tickets may be purchased online by CLICKING HERE
The Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts is the home of the Amarillo Symphony; it is an incredible venue set in downtown Amarillo. For more information on what downtown and the surrounding area has to offer, please follow this link.
At 6:45pm before each masterworks performance in the upstairs lobby of the GNC, music director George Jackson hosts “Behind the Baton” a free pre-concert talk. We welcome all patrons to this immerse event!
We recommend arriving about 30 minutes early to make your evening as smooth as possible. You’ll have plenty of time to find your seats, soak in the atmosphere of the Globe-News Center, and read about the evening’s performance in your program.
If you’d like to make it a truly special night, come for “Behind the Baton” at 6:45 PM! It’s a free, fascinating pre-concert chat with our Music Director, George Jackson, that brings the music to life before a single note is played.
Out of respect for the artists and audience, our concerts start promptly. If you happen to arrive late, our ushers will seat you during the first appropriate pause in the program.
It’s the most common question we get! Think of applause as having two main purposes: as a “hello” and as a “thank you.”
You’ll first applaud to say “hello” and welcome the Concertmaster (the first-chair violinist), and then again for our Conductor and any guest artists as they take the stage.
Then, it’s time for the music. The best way to say “thank you” is with your applause at the very end of a complete piece. You’ll notice that some longer symphonies have several parts (called movements) with short, silent pauses in between. It’s customary to save your applause until after the final movement so the entire musical story can unfold without interruption.
Don’t worry about getting it wrong—we’re just happy you’re here! The simplest trick is to wait until the conductor turns around to face you. When they’re smiling at the audience, you’ll know it’s time to clap.
Most concerts are 2-2 1/2 hours, which typically includes a 20-minute intermission.
Doors to the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts will open about 50min before the scheduled performance time. Doors to the auditorium open 30min before the scheduled starting time. If you arrive before the doors to the auditorium are open there are seats in the downstairs and 2nd floor lobby you may sit in to wait.
Yes, we love welcoming young music lovers! Sharing a live orchestra performance with a child is a magical experience.
For our youngest audience members, we especially recommend our lively movie music concerts, festive holiday shows, and our fun outdoor concerts at HODGETOWN. They’re the perfect way to introduce children to the power of symphonic music.
Our classical concerts offer a different kind of experience—they are longer and quieter, and the audience shares a deep focus on the musicians. While many older children and teens love these performances, it can be a long time for a little one to sit still.
To make it easy for the whole family to attend, we offer $10 tickets for all students, from grade school through college, for our classical concerts. Just stop by the box office before the show to purchase them. Every guest needs a ticket to enjoy the concert.
The Amarillo Symphony is proud to offer a variety of Education Programs designed specifically for children. You can learn more about these exciting opportunities on our website!
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