CASPER — Shoshoni High School’s new eight-member choir had an epic gig for its first public performance — on stage at the Ford Wyoming Center singing backup for 1980s rock headlining band Foreigner.
They backed up the band for its final song of the concert, the group’s smash 1984 hit power ballad “I Want to Know What Love Is” in front of hundreds of people at the Casper arena.
“It’s kind of funny, this is the first year our schools have a choir program. We’ve been trying to build the program up here and finally have a choir,” said Coulter Neale, choir director for the school before the concert. “Well, it’s interesting because this is the first performance these kids will ever have as a group, but that’s cool for them.”
The seven girls and one boy ranging from seventh through 12th grades took the stage after the band ended a dozen-song set and the crowd cheered for the one they’d been waiting all night for. Foreigner started “I Want To Know What Love Is,” and as the chorus came the parade of backup singers wearing blue T-shirts and jeans took the stage.
The more than three-quarters full arena clapped and cheered as lead singer Kelly Hansen implored the crowed to join the choir on the chorus.
Afterward, Hansen told the hundreds in attendance that the band invites local choirs to draw attention to the need for more arts funding in public schools. He also the crowd a secret.
“It’s fun for them, but we get the most joy out of seeing their faces,” Hansen said.
Foreigner promoter John Lappen said the opportunity for high school choirs to join the group has been happening for 17 years. However, the Shoshoni group’s 15 minutes of stage fame comes as part of the band’s “Farewell Tour.”
$500 Gift To School
Lappen said the band also will donate $500 to the school’s choir program.
For Neale, the opportunity came about after his principal came to him with a contest sponsored by Casper radio station Kool 105. To enter, they needed to submit a video of the group singing the chorus to “I Want To Know What Love Is.”
Bob Breck, president and general manager of Breck Media Group, said the station promoted the opportunity throughout the region.
“We sent out notices and on-air mentions to all the choirs in the area. We did it more throughout the region from Riverton up to Gillette and down to Douglas and everything in between,” he said. “And we had them submit videos of their choir and then we decided on the choir that was going to appear with Foreigner.”
Breck said the Shoshoni choir was “enthusiastic” and the station’s pick. They forwarded the video to Lappen, who agreed and “put it all together.”
Outside the Ford Wyoming Center Tuesday afternoon, the choir was met by the band’s liaison who instructed them on when and how to come on the stage. They practiced walking onto an imaginary stage on the sidewalk and were warned about kicking cables or bumping drums.
Choir members Travis McFarland, Rhiannon Neale, Ella Pucel, Michelle Hughes, Alyssa Good, Skylar Wintermote, BreeAnna Sweeney and Brittney Sweeney listened intently to the instruction and showed little sign of nervousness.
Brittney Sweeney, a senior, said it was exciting to perform with a legitimate rock band.
“It feels great, especially when it’s my senior year in high school and we get to do something that I thought I would never be able to do in my life with my twin sister, ReeAnna over there,” she said, pointing. “My dad is going to come tonight and watch and see his last two daughters sing. Something in a lifetime that he (never) thought he would experience today.”
Chaperone and Shoshoni fourth grade teacher Annie Good, whose daughter Alyssa is in the choir, also characterized the experience as “once in a lifetime.”
“So, it is really cool. What an experience for the kids, we are so excited for them,” she said.
Neale said practice for the gig just consisted of leading the chorus, something he characterized as “not terribly difficult.”
“We picked it up pretty quick,” he said.
So, after making their singing debut on the road, on a stage under lights with a famous rock band, hearing the roar of the crowd’s approval, what is the next step?
“We’re just going to have to find more exciting stuff for them to do,” Neale said.
Contact Dale Killingbeck at dale@cowboystatedaily.com
The Shoshoni High School choir played the role of backup singers for the band Foreigner on Tuesday at Ford Wyoming Center in Casper. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
The Shoshoni High School choir gets their moment under the lights on stage with Foreigner. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
The Shoshoni High School choir gets their moment under the lights on stage with Foreigner. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
The Shoshoni High School choir played the role of backup singers for the band Foreigner on Tuesday at Ford Wyoming Center in Casper. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
The Shoshoni High School choir gets their moment under the lights on stage with Foreigner. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
Members of the Shoshoni High School choir receive instruction from the Foreigner stage manager. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
Members of the Shoshoni High School choir posed outside the Ford Wyoming Center on Tuesday. They are from left Travis McFarland, Brittney Sweeney, Alyssa Good, director Coulter Neale, Rhiannon Neale, Ella Pucel, Michelle Hughes, BreeAnna Sweeney, and Skylar Wintermote. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
Members of the Shoshoni High School choir practice their walk up onto an imaginary stage. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
Foreigner’s stage manage explains the tight space to navigate as the Shoshoni High School Choir takes their place on the stage. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily)
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
