In 1959, the San Angelo Symphony Society and its President, Henry Batjer Jr. established a competition in music for young Texas budding artists. Dr. Eric Sorantin, the founder and first conductor of the Symphony was honored by the Society in naming the competition "The Sorantin Competition." The funding for these awards was made possible by the Junior League of San Angelo. The League policy in matters of this kind was to establish a program in the community and then to encourage someone else to take it over. In keeping with the policy, they withdrew their financial support at the end of five years, after having filled with great success the gap needed for establishing this competition.

In 1962, Mr. Spencer A. Wells, founder of the Hemphill-Wells stores died and willed his estate to the Hemphill-Wells Foundation, naming trustees Bill E. Collins, Barnie E. Rushing Jr. and Scottie R. Johnson. These three men continue to administer the affairs of the Foundation.

In 1965, the Trustees of the Hemphill-Wells Foundation were approached for means of continuing support for the competition. And so the Hemphill-Wells Foundation began its financial support for the competition and award, which in time came to be named the Hemphill-Wells Sorantin Award for Young Artists.

1985 marked the 25th anniversary of the competition and a one of a kind celebration was held. At the time the award for the overall winner was increased from $300 to $850 with the total number of contestants over the years equaling over 1,000.

Initially a competition for Texas artists, the contest has greatly expanded to international interest, drawing competitors in from all over the world. The public is still invited to hear most of the competition (with the exception of the finals concert which is a regular season subscription concert) free of charge.