Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program

05/25/2026

Honoring and remembering.

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

We were honored to give Hunter’s story musical life last night at Popejoy Hall! Our Youth Orchestra performed the original music composed by Beth Ratay and Hunter’s Story was narrated by Youth Orchestra violinist Harlow Hovey. Great job, everyone! Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Hunter!

The Albuquerque Youth Orchestra's original music, with student Carlos Hovey reciting transplant patient Hunter Rael's story, moved the audience.

05/11/2026

Composer Beth Ratay has set a story by heart transplant recipient Hunter Rael to music, facilitated by the charity, Sing Me A Story.

05/09/2026

Our Preparatory String Orchestra took the show on the road yesterday to Osuna and Inez Elementary Schools to share their hard with work this semester with the students there and to encourage their peers to learn to play an instrument! In between performances our littlest musicians spent some energy at a local park and then recharged their little batteries at the AYSP building with pizza, lemonade and cookies! This little orchestra has put I. The work this year and their performance at Popejoy Hall tomorrow afternoon promises to be amazing!

05/09/2026

Believe it or not, tomorrow’s concerts at Popejoy Hall will feature THREE world premieres! Our Youth Orchestra will perform a piece composed by Youth Symphony violinist Charlotte Bellflower called “Dance of the Tides.” What a talented young composer and musician! This piece will be featured at the 5:00 pm concert tomorrow night at Popejoy Hall. Don’t miss it!

05/09/2026

We’re excited for our Youth Orchestra to present a world premiere tomorrow of “Hunter’s Story,” written by Hunter Rael, a precious child who is thriving after his second heart transplant operation about three months ago. The piece was written by local composer Beth Ratay in partnership with the The Sing Me a Story Foundation. Learn more about the project at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sing-me-a-story/id1610753193?i=1000766661121. Hope to see everyone at our 5:00 pm concert tomorrow evening at Popejoy Hall!

Podcast Episode · The Weekend with Terry Travis · May 7 · 20m

05/09/2026

And a world premiere of another American composer, who also happens to be a student member of the Youth Symphony AND the conductor of the piece, oboist Kaidan Montes. We are so stinkin’ proud of this young man - wait until you hear the first movement of his Symphony No. 1. No doubt there will be a No. 2 and a No. 3. This kid is going places. Come see and hear for yourself tomorrow at 7:30 pm at Popejoy Hall!