The Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program seeks to instill a lifelong passion for music in motivated young people in the greater Albuquerque area through the pursuit of excellence in orchestral musical performance. Approximately 500 to 600 students audition each May to become members of the one of the program's 13 ensembles. Students come from over 40 public, private, parochial, and home schools within a 50 mile radius of Albuquerque to participate.