CLASS START DATE – Monday, August 19, 2024. Registration for all classes is NOW CLOSED! Contact Mr. Bratcher if you need to register.


Interested in the band, but not sure what to do now? Click here for more information.
Thinking guitar? Click here to learn more.


Click here for information about ALL the available classes.


Why should my child choose music? How does band work? What instruments are available to play? Have questions like these? Check out this great resource from Be Part of the Band.

BasiCamps in 2024!

Three 6-week camps geared towards kids ages 9-11 will introduce them to different families of instruments and basic music notation. At the end of the six weeks, students will perform in a short recital. Camps will be in ukulele, recorder, or bucket drumming. See the BasiCamps link above for more information.


Thank You For Your Continued Support! We could not do this without you.

We believe that music has such a positive impact in the lives of our youth, and we are proud that our band program has been enriching the homeschooled students of New Mexico for more than 35 years. So much of what we are able to accomplish is made possible by students and their family and friends, who generously donate time, talents and resources to various efforts and goals. If you are interested in contributing to make our program even better, please choose one of the buttons below. We are so grateful and humbled to be part of such a tremendous community!


Mission Statement

The Mid-Rio Grande Home School Band aims to enrich the lives of individuals and communities by creating lifelong lovers of all music through instrumental instruction and performance.

——-

Our History – The Mid-Rio Grande Home School band was founded in 1988 by a group of home school parents and Mr. Bart Strohl. Starting with six students, the size of the band has grown to over 100 students. Home schooled students grades 5-12 rehearse in Albuquerque (two locations) and Los Lunas.

——-

Our Structure – Beginning, Concert, Symphonic, and Jazz Bands are available depending on skill and grade level. Guitar Ensemble classes are divided by skill into Guitar 1, Guitar 2, and Guitar 3. Beginning students start in fifth grade (10 years) or older and may have very little or no training in music. Students progress through each level as their skills increase. By the time students reach Symphonic Band or Guitar 3 they will be proficient enough to perform multiple levels and styles of music with great musicality and expression. The instrumentation for traditional concert band includes woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Guitar ensemble includes acoustic or classical guitar. Unfortunately, piano, orchestral strings, and electric guitar are not taught.

——-

Classes are 90 minutes once per week from August-May. All groups perform in at least two annual concerts – in December and May. Symphonic, Jazz, and Guitar 3 perform more often and in more public settings. Our groups have performed in a variety of other venues including the VA Hospital, various nursing homes, the CAPE Graduation Ceremony, The River of Lights, and the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.  Several of our band students have been honored to play in the ABQ Youth Symphony Program, NM All-State Band and Orchestras, Albuquerque Symphony Orchestra, the Rio Rancho Symphonic Band, NMMEA District Honor Bands and Solo & Ensemble Festivals, the National Wind Ensemble, and the U.S. Youth Ensemble, which toured Europe. Students have gone on to become professional musicians and music educators.

——-

To find out more about all our classes, click on the links above.