Nine Pahrump Valley High School Choir Students Selected for Nevada All-State Choir

Nine Pahrump Valley High School choir students earned spots in the Nevada Music Educators Association All-State Choir following a competitive audition process held statewide. Under director Dr. Benjamin Gooch, the students prepared scales and excerpts that were evaluated by adjudicators from across Nevada; the selected singers attended the Nevada All-State Choir on Feb. 5, 2026.

The selections mark a clear achievement for Pahrump Valley High School’s music program. The raw numbers are straightforward: nine students advanced through an audition judged by adjudicators statewide, demonstrating the program’s capacity to compete at the state level. Pahrump residents and families should note that state-level recognition often raises a school’s profile, supports student resumes for college auditions, and can strengthen calls for steady funding of arts education within the Nye County School District.

Details that remain to be released include the students’ names, grade levels, voice parts, and any specific honors awarded at the All-State session. The initial school release identified Dr. Benjamin Gooch as director and confirmed attendance at the All-State Choir but did not list individual student information or audition counts from PVHS. District and school officials are the next logical sources for confirmation and photographs of the students at the event.

For local context, high-performing high school choirs in Nevada have historically translated recognition into broader opportunities. Jeff Pope in the Las Vegas Sun documented how Palo Verde High School’s show choir, Vocal Infinity, grew into a 25-member ensemble that performed nationally and internationally, was named the top high school choir in the nation in 2007, and appeared on compilation albums in 2002 and 2006. Senior Sara Schroeder told the Sun, "it's like, 'Oh yeah, I was at one of your performances' or my favorite is people know your jacket. You'll be walking down the street and people will recognize you from TV." Those examples illustrate the kinds of visibility and downstream opportunities that can follow state and national choral success, though such outcomes vary by program and community support.

For readers in Nye County, the immediate takeaway is that Pahrump Valley High School’s music program produced nine All-State singers, an accomplishment that reflects student discipline and instructional strength. Expect the school to release additional details and possible local performances in the weeks ahead; community attendance and district support will shape how that recognition translates into longer-term benefits for students and for arts funding in Pahrump.