The original Young Ambassador program took nine months of preparation. Tryouts are in May, then the group rehearses from September until school is out. Work to get the Australia tour scheduled began about two years ago, according to Young Ambassador officials.

The performers left for the Australia tour April 27. They have already performed in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Sydney and Canberra.

Young Ambassador officials say the bulk of the performance is music through the history of America, with songs from the 1960s to the 1980s. The songs are in the Young Ambassador's newly released album "The New American Songbook."

"The replacement performances are being very well received. The people there (in Australia) are loving it," said Rex Barrington, BYU's assistant director of performing arts management.

The Young Ambassadors aren't paid for their work. BYU funds their tour expenses, including airfare. Tickets are sold for the performances and the money goes for local ground expenses such as buses, trucks, trains and meals, according to Young Ambassador officials.

"Often, we give the proceeds to charity organizations in the local areas we visit," said Shane Wright, BYU performance coordinator. He books the BYU Young Ambassador's performances, along with other BYU groups.

Many of the students later go on to Broadway or are hired by Disney to perform in its amusement parks.

BYU legal counsel said BYU has placed many graduates with the Disney Corp. and has collaborated on various projects and productions over the years. "The university does not envision that long-standing relationship changing in any way."

The Young Ambassadors wrap up their Australia tour with a fireside in Melbourne and leave May 19 for the return trip.

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