Twenty-two seventh- and eighth-grade choir students from SSG Manuel R. Puentes Middle School made their rock concert debut on Oct. 16 at the Abraham Chavez Theatre, performing with legendary rock band Foreigner. The students joined the band in singing its hit song, “I Want to Know What Love Is,” during the Celebrating 50 Years tour.
“Honestly, it felt like a dream,” said eighth-grader Matthew Delgado after learning he and his classmates had been selected to perform with the band. “It was crazy because I never thought I would be able to get this chance to perform with like a really famous band.”
The choir earned the opportunity after winning the 93.1 KISS FM Iris & Grizz in the Morning Foreigner School Choir Contest. Community members selected the group from nine finalist choirs after voting on video performances submitted by each school. In addition to performing with the band, the school received a $500 donation to purchase music, provide classroom and performance materials and support choir opportunities.
Diana Gutierrez, the school’s choir director, said the experience gave students a chance to shine on stage and experience music opportunities beyond the classroom at a professional level.
“It's giving them more hope that they can fulfill their dreams, that if they want to continue in music, this is a possibility for them, that they can go and try out, go do auditions, go be on The Voice, on X Factor, on American Idol, as long as they try and keep going, it's possible they can achieve those dreams,” Gutierrez said.
Foreigner has a long-standing tradition of inviting local high school and student choirs and bands to perform songs like "I Want to Know What Love Is" on stage with them. The program is part of the band’s partnership with the GRAMMY Museum, which supports and promotes music and arts education in public schools.
Gutierrez said the experience highlights the importance of music education and its impact on students.
“All of the kids that made it are A Honor Roll or A/B Honor Roll students. They all participate in multiple things, not just choir, but band. I have a few orchestra kids, and I think as a whole, what it says is that we are important and that music fulfills so much more than just dreams. It fulfills your soul,” Gutierrez said.
As part of the competition, the students submitted their audition video just a few days before the Socorro Independent School District started its fall intersession on Sept. 28. With little time to prepare, they learned the song's different vocal parts and recorded their submission.
During the break, Gutierrez texted parents the exciting news that the choir had been selected to perform with Foreigner.
Seventh-grader Eva Garcia and her parents were thrilled when they learned the news. Not only would Garcia perform with a nationally known band, but she would also attend her first rock concert.
“We were really excited, me and my parents, because they love Foreigner!” Garcia recalled.
Although many students expected to be nervous, Guiterrez reminded them to have fun. The choir continued rehearsing before the performance, building confidence with each practice.
“Let the muscle memory get in there and just have fun. I mean, that's what this is about. It's about having fun. And I know that seeing them on stage, it's just a dream come true,” Gutierrez said.