ST. LOUIS – Tuesday was a night to remember as Gateway STEM High School students performed with the iconic British-American rock band “Foreigner.”
“Foreigner” has sold over 80 million records worldwide and is now back on tour with 60 dates left. The band is allowing students across the country to perform their classic hit “I Want To Know What Love Is” with them.
“The reason we do it is because we believe in public school education. I, myself, am a product of public school music education. So it means a lot to me to help these schools because the first thing that happens when there’s budgeting issues is they hit the music program, which is not cool,” Jeff Pilson, bassist, said.
The children’s choir is a combination of Gateway STEM High School students and Better Family Life’s Safe Passage summer school kids.
“To give these kids the opportunity that I know they have never had before, can you imagine? 8, 9, 10-year-old kids, all the way up to 18, are going to be in front of 10, 15, 20,000 people, clapping and cheering for them. That’s going to be incredible for them,” Steven Hill, Gateway STEM High School’s director of bands, said.
“Foreigner” is not only giving these kids an experience of a lifetime; they are also giving back by donating $500 to select music programs at schools, and students are excited.
“When I go to performances, I get to see new people, meet new people, and people get to meet me, so I think it’s a fun experience,” Korra Watt, student performer, said.
Thousands came out to see the performances of “Styx,” John Waite, and “Foreigner” at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater. Proceeds from every Foreigner CD sold at the concert will go to the Grammy Foundation, supporting music education in schools across North America.
Pilson has advice for children interested in pursuing music professionally.
“My advice is be very true to your heart. Do what you love, listen to all criticism, listen to everything people have to say, but always follow your heart because at the end of the day, that’s the best judge of what to do when you have a decision to make,” he said.
If you missed “Foreigner’s” performance here in St. Louis, their next stop is in Rogers, Ark., June 19 at 7 p.m.
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