The purpose of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras is to provide, in cooperation with public and private schools, equitable access to the highest quality musical opportunities and to foster a life-long love of music for dedicated young musicians. The CKYO enriches the lives of its student members through a dynamic curriculum focused on the development of musical excellence at all levels of experience, and seeks out strategic partnerships to ensure its responsiveness to the needs of its community. 

CKYO provides music education and performance opportunities for almost 400 students in Central Kentucky through six orchestras; Symphony, Concert, Repertory, Preparatory String, Jazz Arts, and Jazz Repertory; a Percussion Ensemble; and as well as substantial community music initiatives CKYO in the Schools, MusicWorks Orchestra, and MusicWorks - Friends in Music.