By Zara Serrano
The Music Makers, BHS’s acclaimed choir group, recently won a contest to sing on stage with rock band Foreigner in concert.
The Sing with Foreigner contest is special to the band; when touring, they select a local backup group to sing with them at their concerts. For their upcoming show, the Music Makers will sing backup on Foreigner’s 1984 hit “I Want to Know What Love Is”, a timeless melody that hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985.
The contest was held by the rock radio station 99.1 WPLR. Michael Martone, the director of the chorus, said they submitted an audition video of the group singing “Sounds of Silence” and “You’re a Mean One (Mr. Grinch)” to WPLR and won the contest.
“When we discovered the opportunity to perform with Foreigner, we quickly assembled an audition video,” Martone said to Patch in an interview.
Their performance with the band will take place at the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford on December 9 at 7:30pm.
“Music Makers is an auditioned ensemble of 25 mixed voices,” he said. “The students spend a lot of time performing in and out of the school community.”
Martone also exclaimed how enthusiastic he was that his students have been given this chance and that they deserve it after their hard work.
In addition to appearing on stage with Foreigner, the band is also contributing $500 to BHS’s choral program.
The Music Makers have a variety of performances year-round, including Christmas caroling at the middle and elementary schools and performing at the Branford Festival.
The program also hosts a variety of ‘singing grams’. Students can purchase a gram on Christmas or Valentine’s Day for a teacher or student and the choir sings a selected song to the recipient.
“I am so glad my very deserving students will get this performance opportunity, it will truly be unforgettable,” Martone concluded.
Buzz Chief Reporter Owen Lentner contributed to this story.
Discover more from Branford Buzz School Newspaper
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.