British rock band Foreigner has enlisted high school students in Tyler, Texas, to perform with them at an upcoming concert.

Jacksonville High School choir in Tyler was selected to sing alongside the iconic band for their 50th Anniversary tour stop. The choir was chosen through a competition and partnership with the Grammy Foundation and Music Cares. The organizations raise money for school music programs all over the country. 

After Jacksonville High School choir director Tiffany Hammock learned about the competition,the school recorded and sent in an audition video, finding out they won through a radio announcement from KTTB Radio. The band donated $500 to the school choir, which KTTB Radio matched. 

“I’m just excited to be selected and be able to showcase the talent of our students,” Hammock told the Tyler Morning Telegraph. “I’m also excited for some of our community members who will see it live.”

The concert will take place at the UT Tyler Cowan Center on October 11.

Foreigner has been partnering with Texas high schools across the state during their 50th anniversary tour. 

Early this week, Foreigner was joined by another Texas high school during their show in Lubbock. On October 7, the Slayton High School choir joined Foreigner on stage at Buddy Holly Hall. The band donated $500 to the school choir, which was matched by a local business. The chance to perform gave students unprecedented exposure. 

“We’re coming from a small town in Slaton, and we don’t always have the opportunities to go out and do these big stage-type events,” Choir Director Paul Vasquez said to Fox34. “I think for these kids it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get them to see and broaden their horizons on what music can do for them in their lives.”

Other Texas schools that won the competition and the chance to play alongside the band include the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, who partnered with radio station Q101.9 to perform with the band at the Majestic Theatre. Memorial High School Choir was selected after an audition competition to perform with the band at the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls.

Michael Bluestein, keyboardist and backing vocalist for Foreigner since 2008, attributed the program and the ability to give back to young singers and musicians to all the mentors he had growing up.

“It’s paying it forward and passing it on and we’re really proud of that,” Bluestein said of the charitable effort. “It’s great to be involved, even in a small way, to help support local music and arts wherever we go.”