SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A choir group from Carlsbad High School got the chance of a lifetime Tuesday night when they took the stage with a legendary rock band.
Students from the choir gave themselves an opportunity to perform with award-winning band Foreigner by entering a contest from local radio station KGB-FM in May.
“We just sent in a video to KGB, and they gave us a call and said, ‘Hey, you guys won,’” said Carlsbad High choir director Jessie Bullock.
“Our teacher told us one day in class and we were like, ‘Oh my gosh. There’s no way! That’s amazing!’” said student Garret Avilez.
To the members of Foreigner, public school music education is important.
Bassist Jeff Pilson said with tight budgets, public music programs are often the first to get cut. Those programs personally inspired his career.
“I started playing the cello when I was in 5th grade and happened to end up with an amazing music teacher,” said Pilson.
None of the students were born until decades after Foreigner made a name for itself worldwide. Even the band members admitted the songs are more famous than the band itself.
“A lot of these kids don’t realize how many Foreigner songs they know just by being around their parents,” said Pilson.
“Some of us want to do performing when we're older and it's just like, being able to get an experience before getting into the industry is really cool,” said student Jamie Polmar.
On Tuesday night, the Carlsbad High choir members finally shared the stage with the band at their concert at Chula Vista’s Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, and they sung their hearts out.
Foreigner donated $500 to Carlsbad High School’s choir program.
