Pahrump took center stage this past weekend as some of Nevada’s top young musicians gathered for the 2026 Nevada Music Educators Association (NMEA) Small Schools All-State Band and Orchestra Festival.
Hosted by Pahrump Valley High School and Rosemary Clarke Middle School, the event was held Saturday, April 18 at Rosemary Clarke Middle School. The festival brought together standout high school musicians from rural communities across the state—students who earned their place through a competitive audition process.
Among those selected were 10 Pahrump Valley High School students, representing a strong local presence in both the band and orchestra ensembles.
PVHS participants included Luigi DeAngelis on timpani, Zachary LeBlanc on percussion, Haily Dobson, Joey Erwin and Jayden Diaz on trumpet, Jasmine Valencia on clarinet, Elise Eichner on bass clarinet, Leeze Hilario on alto saxophone, Mark Ackerman on horn, and Milly Khandpur on oboe. Their selection reflects both individual dedication and the continued strength of music education programs in Pahrump.
The festival featured two distinguished guest conductors. Dr. Adam Lambert, Director of Bands and Brass Studies at Southern Utah University, led the All-State Band through a program that included selections such as Afterburn, Into the Clouds!, Air for Band, and Arabian Dances, highlighting both technical skill and musical expression.
The All-State Orchestra was conducted by Steve Olson, orchestra director at Charles M. Russell High School in Montana and an accomplished performer, composer, and conductor. The orchestra’s program featured works including Pinnacle, March from Suite No. 1, O Magnum Mysterium, Expedition, and Adoration, offering a dynamic and engaging performance.
The Nevada Music Educators Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting music education statewide, organizes events like this to provide students with high-quality musical experiences and opportunities to collaborate with peers from across Nevada.
For Pahrump, hosting the festival was both an honor and an opportunity to showcase the talent within the community. With a strong group of PVHS musicians taking part, local audiences had plenty to celebrate as these students performed alongside some of the best in the state.
The event highlighted not only the achievements of individual musicians but also the continued impact of music education programs in Pahrump and across rural Nevada.
