Building Character
Capital Campaign

Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program Buys Permanent Home

After more than 57 years of serving Albuquerque's young musicians and their families -- and 57 years of having to use borrowed space for rehearsals and administrative necessities -- the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program (AYSP) will finally have a permanent facility.

Sold!

The building, located at 4407 Menaul Blvd. NE, fulfills an essential new phase for a program that has shepherded its financial resources with great care while continuing to grow its offerings for decades. Due to enthusiastic support during its Capital Campaign, the AYSP will not go into debt to buy its new home.

Now with seven youth orchestras, more than 500 young participants annually, and an active community reading orchestra, AYSP will be able to offer even more opportunities to instill a lifelong passion for music in motivated young people in the greater Albuquerque area.

"We're very excited to be able to respond to a growing demand for activities such as music theory classes and summer and evening programs that we currently can't provide due to lack of physical space appropriate for ensemble and orchestral work," says Kristine Purrington, AYSP Executive Director, who closed on the building Jan. 3, 2012. "Now the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program can really begin to meet some of these additional needs."

With a more than 16,000 sq. ft building, AYSP will be able to have two full orchestra rehearsals, seven sectional rehearsal rooms, practice rooms, administrative offices, secure musical instrument storage, a percussion room for practice and storage, an accessible music library with consistent hours and a room for Board, parent, alumni and community meetings.

In addition, the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program knows first-hand how difficult it can be to find appropriate rehearsal space in the city. The Program plans to offer its own new rehearsal spaces to other groups when possible. And as a strong supporter of music education in the city, the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program will continue to require all of its young musicians to be enrolled in their schools' bands or orchestras and to use Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque Public Schools and Rio Rancho Public Schools for performances.

"We also hope that by serving hundreds of students and their families on a weekly basis, we will bring positive economic activity to the Midtown Albuquerque area. We're pleased to finally have a permanent home and expect to continue to help support the music community in Albuquerque, and to be an important part of the vibrant arts scene in our city," Purrington says.

Our new physical address:
4407 Menaul Blvd. NE (at Washington)
Albuquerque, NM 87110

Our mailing address:
P.O. Box 30961
Albuquerque, NM 87190

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Can you help with

  • Moving/painting/organizing our new home
  • Regular Office Assistance
  • Special events
  • Parking/Security
  • Cleaning (outdoors ­ weed & trash removal)

Click here to offer your help!