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Welcome to the Mid-Rio Grande Home School Band

Our band families, students, and director are committed to providing a sound music education and performance opportunities using a traditional concert band setting for home school students in and around Albuquerque, NM.


Mission Statement
The Mid-Rio Grande Home School Band will provide an appealing atmosphere and learning opportunities to challenge/enhance students in an ensemble and band setting for the joy of music while encouraging individual growth and risk taking.

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 as many as 75. Home schooled students ages 9-19 rehearse in Albuquerque (two locations), Los Lunas, and Tijeras.

Beginning, Concert, and Symphonic Bands are available depending on skill and grade level. Beginning students start at age 9 and have very little or no training in music. Concert Band consists of students that have played at least one year and continues through 8th grade. Symphonic Band is an audition only group of high school students proficient enough to play multiple levels and styles of music. The instrumentation is for traditional concert band and unfortunately does not include piano, guitar, or stringed instruments.

All three bands perform at two annual concerts – Winter and Spring. The Advanced Band also performs a Pops concert in March and at 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, APS Honor Band, APS Solo & Ensemble Festivals, the National Wind Ensemble, and the U.S. Youth Ensemble, which toured Europe.