SACRAMENTO — Students from Natoma Station Elementary School recently stepped onto one of California’s most prestigious music education stages, earning statewide recognition for their talent, preparation and commitment to the arts.
The Natoma Station Elementary School fourth- and fifth-grade choir was selected to perform at the California Music Educators Association’s second annual Elementary Showcase during the 2026 California All-State Music Education Conference, held last week in Sacramento. Natoma Station Elementary was one of only three elementary school ensembles from across California chosen to participate in this year’s showcase, an honor that reflects both the quality of the program and the dedication of its students and educators.
The Elementary Showcase highlights exemplary music programs from throughout the state and is attended by music educators, administrators and arts advocates. For the Natoma Station choir, the performance provided a rare opportunity to represent their school and the Folsom Cordova Unified School District on a statewide stage focused on excellence in arts education.
The choir performed a themed program titled “Nature’s Song,” which explored the beauty of the natural world through music inspired by animals, landscapes, the sea and the moon. The repertoire included “The Moon” by Andy Beck; selections from “Menagerie of Songs” by Carolyn Jennings, including “Bandicoot” and “Rhinoceros”; the traditional piece “Who’ll Buy My Roses”; the French folk song “J’entends le Moulin”; “A Great Big Sea,” arranged by Lori-Anne Dolloff; and “Grow Little Tree” by Andrea Ramsey. The program showcased a range of musical styles and languages while highlighting the ensemble’s versatility and expressive ability.
The choir is directed by Stephanie Cantu, with accompaniment by Christine Brauer. Their performance at the conference earned the ensemble an award recognizing the outstanding quality of their presentation, a distinction that reflects the strong collaboration between students, instructors and school leadership.
District and school support played a significant role in making the opportunity possible. Appreciation was extended to FCUSD Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Mindy Andrus, Natoma Station Elementary Principal Vickie Boudouris, the school’s faculty and staff, the FCUSD music team, the parent-teacher organization, and the choir families whose encouragement and commitment supported the students throughout the process.
The achievement stands as a point of pride for Natoma Station Elementary and the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, underscoring the value of arts education at the elementary level. By earning a place in the Elementary Showcase, the Natoma Station choir demonstrated how strong music programs can inspire students while elevating schools and communities on a statewide level.
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