Twenty-five members of South Holland Master Chorale joined vocalist Kelly Hansen and the band Foreigner to sing “I Want to Know What Love Is” on Aug. 15. (Photo provided by Leslie Pinter)

South Holland Master Chorale Rocks Onstage with Band Foreigner

HAMMOND, Ind. – At the close of the Foreigner concert at The Venue at Horseshoe Hammond casino on Aug. 15, South Holland Master Chorale joined the band onstage to sing its hit “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

Foreigner is a rock band that has been recording and performing together since 1976, with such hits as “Cold as Ice,” “Feels Like the First Time,” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You.” The ballad “I Want to Know What Love Is” was the band’s biggest hit, landing on the Billboard Hot 100 list.

According to chorale spokesperson Phil Schwartz, for at least the last decade when it tours, the band has invited local choirs to join them on stage at the end of the show to sing the song.

“Usually it is a high school or middle school choir. The band does this to emphasize the importance of supporting music education and the arts,” Schwartz said.

Because this particular show was at a casino, the band couldn’t invite singers who were under age 21, he said. So their booking agent invited the Chorale, and 25 members answered the call.

“The Chorale members who participated all agreed that it was a marvelous and fun experience and something that is quite outside our normal repertoire,” said Schwartz, who was part of the group who performed with Foreigner. “The band members also expressed appreciation for our being willing to do this.”

After the song ended, lead singer Kelly Hansen addressed the audience and choir.

“Thank you to this beautiful choir,” Hansen said. “Thank you for giving us your joyous energy and spirit, and keeping that energy for music and singing in your lives. I know for me it’s been a wonderful, wonderful gift. So thank you for doing that, thank you for sharing your energy and your presence. You guys were amazing.”

Schwartz said South Holland Master Chorale’s fall concerts will feature a variety of contemporary spiritual songs with the theme, “You do not walk alone.” Performances are at 3 p.m. on Oct. 5 at St. Julie Billiart Roman Catholic Church in Tinley Park and 4 p.m. on Oct. 12 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Homewood. The concerts are free. Learn more at southhollandmasterchorale.org.

Watch South Holland Master Chorale’s performance with Foreigner on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFXX3jB73oE. The Chorale enters at about 4:30.