Glen Allen High School choir sings with band Foreigner

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Glen Allen High School choir had the opportunity to perform with legacy band Foreigner on Wednesday, with the band donating money to the choir to support its program.

On Wednesday, July 30, the Glen Allen High School choir sang a special rendition of "I Want to Know What Love Is" with the band Foreigner at the After Hours Concert held at Meadow Event Park in Doswell.

8News spoke with the school's choral director, Sherri Matthews, and the choir students before the band left for Doswell.

Glen Allen High School student Jenna Garcia said she didn't know the band Foreigner, but she was familiar with the song they were going to sing with the band.

"So when I told [my family], 'Yeah we're auditioning. We might get it.' My mom was like, 'No! Foreigner?' I was like, 'Yeah,' and she was like, 'Oh my God, I love them," Garcia said.

Glen Allen High School's choir. (Photo: Brad Vassar, 8News)

Foreigner performing at Meadow Event Park in Doswell on Wednesday, July 30. (Photo: Brad Vassar, 8News)

(Photo: Brad Vassar, 8News)

A local choir sings with the band Foreigner on Wednesday, July 30 at a concert held at Meadow Event Park in Doswell. (Photo: Brad Vassar, 8News)

(Photo: Brad Vassar, 8News)

Matthews said a couple of former school parents reached out to her on Facebook and suggested that the choir enter a competition to win the chance to perform with Foreigner, and they entered the contest. She said they found out they were selected to perform with the band in early May.

"The band members, some of them were in their choral programs when they were in high school, and this is something that they do as a community effort," Matthews said. "And the other really special thing is that they are donating $500 to our program, which we will definitely put to good use."

At the concert, Foreigner's lead singer, Kelly Hansen, spoke about the importance of music and the arts in schools.

"Music and the arts are the first things to be cut when they have those budget issues and that's wrong," Hansen said. "Music and the arts are such a valuable part of the learning experience and making someone a well-rounded person, so please talk to your local politicians, your school board, your teachers, make a donation if you can, and help keep these young people's hopes and dreams alive!"