At Pahrump Valley High School, it has the benefit of yielding a great many extra classes for its students, from the mythology of old, to CTE classes for the future. Amongst these are the music class electives. Taught by Dr. Benjamin Gooch, they are full-year classes and perform four concerts a school year, the upcoming being the winter concert. However, whilst the performances are the golden eggs, there is the process behind them that some may take an interest in, whether of curiosity or potential interest to join at a later date.
Some may assume that the lead up to the concerts is purely a grating thing, tough work like well-oiled machines with the professionalism such classes as the concert band show at their performances even outside of the auditorium. While it is tough work for every student, they work hard to remember notes and lyrics alike.
It helps to build bonds between the students. “Well overall, music in general helps with mental health, and not only that, choir is about friendship and community,” as was said by a choir student, Addie Allen, soprano, who was also the lead singer of “Garage the Band” last school year. And as she also added, it aids in one’s own mental health, encouraging friendships and trust in one another.
But through performances, and weeks to months of practicing, and for some years of experiencetaking classes, it also allows one to build more integrity. “It’s helped me to understand, and appreciate music, as well as make me want to perform more,” said Luigi DeAngelis, a percussionist and choir singer, who also featured in “Garage the Band” as its drummer. Through performance and practice, a person’s confidence builds, and they can come to stand unplagued by stage fright.
Though the students are the hardest workers to blow people away with their performances, they wouldn’t be able to do it without their teacher and conductor, Dr. Gooch. He too works hard: “It’s been challenging to consistently believe in the students, that they’ll be ready in time for our concerts, but I’m always rewarded with their success.”
Dr. Gooch takes pride in his students, even with the roadbumps: “One of my favorite things is to see students pursue music after high school, as well as seeing trust between them.”Like with any skill, there are challenges that are faced, and it varies from person to person. Most would think it would be a simple fact of learning notes, but not always.
“A challenge has been memorization, as I personally struggle with dyslexia, and it’s something not a lot of people have studied. There’s not a solution, and no one has done much research about it,” Allen spoke of her experiences and the difficulties she faces. Alas, high school doesn’t last forever, and eventually, students will either graduate or drop the class. But just because school is over, doesn’t mean that one’s musical experience ends there. For Allen, she has already committed to music out of school: “I do various things after school already like community choir.”
Sometimes, even if not to keep with music directly, some may stick with showbiz. Though not planning to continue with percussion, DeAngelis isn’t done performing, for he plans to keep with theatre: “I don’t [plan to keep with percussion] after graduation; I intend to pursue a career in acting.” Already a four-year theater student and one of its officers, it is his calling.
But of course, as the end of 2025 rounds the corner, we enter the holidays, all the jolly things
