Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program

For over 60 years, the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program (AYSP) has provided high-quality music education and outstanding symphonic music performance opportunities for students to share their musical gifts with the community. Formed in1955, AYSP was a collaborative project between the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) and the University of New Mexico (UNM).

AYSP offers ensembles for students in grades 4-12 for strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Students are placed in the appropriate ensemble through annual auditions in May, which are required for all students except strings in grades 4-5.

AYSP ensembles rehearse weekly from August through April at the AYSP facility with highly trained professional conductors and perform several times annually, including a Finale Concert each season at Popejoy Hall.AYSP also offers a Chamber Music Program for students enrolled in an AYSP ensemble. The Chamber Music Program is open to all students in grades 6-12 enrolled in a regular AYSP ensemble.

The Youth Symphony (YS) is the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program's premier ensemble. It is comprised of 60-80 of the most talented and dedicated string, woodwind, brass and percussion players from across the Albuquerque area. Youth Symphony students have the opportunity to hone their skills while performing a wide variety of advanced orchestral repertoire as well as works by contemporary composers.

The Youth Concert Orchestra (YCO) provides unique exposure to full orchestra training for 60-80 string, woodwind, brass and percussion players from across the Albuquerque area. The Youth Concert Orchestra focuses on excellent playing technique, sight reading skills, and group ensemble skills.

SECTIONALS: Youth Concert Orchestra students participate in sectionals, during which each section works with a professional musician or music educator to assist them in preparing season repertoire and addressing instrument specific issues.Sectionals are held several times each semester during the regular rehearsal time with professional musicians from our community.

We are excited to announce that starting in January of 2022, the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program will add an Elementary String Project (ESP) to its robust educational offerings. The ESP is a beginning string program open to students in 4th grade in the Albuquerque area interested in learning to play the violin, viola, or cello.