The voices of Folsom’s young performers echoed across the west steps of the State Capitol this week as local choirs helped California celebrate its 175th birthday in a ceremony steeped in history and pride.
This past week, the award-winning Folsom High School Chamber Choir and Concert Choirs joined the Sutter Middle School Advanced Choir in performing at the official Admission Day celebration, marking the anniversary of California becoming the 31st state in 1850. The invitation was a distinguished honor for the students and their directors, who have carried the tradition of excellence in music education to stages far beyond their classrooms.
The Folsom High School choirs, directed by Melanie Huber, are no strangers to prestigious performances. They have brought their music to Carnegie Hall, Disneyland, regional festivals, and national Heritage festivals, consistently earning recognition for their artistry. At Wednesday’s Capitol event, they joined forces with Sutter Middle School under the leadership of choir director Lea Woods, a former student and student teacher of Huber who now directs both Sutter and Folsom Middle School choirs.
For Huber, the moment was about more than just showcasing vocal talent. “How wonderful it is to live in California,” she reflected. “The beauty we have here, from the redwood forest, down to…San Diego, Yosemite, Tahoe. It’s just a great state to live in.”
Woods said the occasion was especially meaningful for her as she stood before both current and former students. “I think my favorite part of the day was conducting new and old students,” she said, describing the unique joy of watching her choirs come together on such a special stage.
Students also shared their excitement about performing for a Capitol crowd gathered to celebrate statehood. Freshman Jett Lewis of the FHS Chamber Choir said, “Probably just seeing the crowd out there watching and seeing how excited they were to see us sing” was his highlight of the day. Senior Henry Lin, president of the FHS Choir, said the milestone performance carried responsibility as well as reward. “As the president, sometimes I take the lead to show an example of how we need to express ourselves through the performance,” Lin said.
District leaders noted the moment as a point of pride for both schools and the broader community. “We are so proud of the students for their talent, hard work, and the way they represented their schools and community on such a special occasion,” the district posted in a statement.
Admission Day is celebrated each year on September 9 to commemorate California’s entry into the Union in 1850, following the Mexican-American War and the Gold Rush that swelled the territory’s population. The tradition of ceremonies at the State Capitol is a way to honor the state’s history, and this year’s milestone 175th anniversary gave students from Folsom and Rancho Cordova the chance to add their voices to the living story of California.
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