Middle & high school choirs invited to audition to perform with Foreigner at Erie County Fair

Erie County Fair Press Release

The Erie County Fair is excited to announce a unique opportunity for middle and high school choirs in Western New York. In partnership with the legendary rock band Foreigner, the Erie County Fair is hosting a choir contest that will give one lucky choir the chance to perform on stage with the band on Aug. 7.

Choirs are invited to submit an official entry form and audition video featuring a performance from Foreigner’s song catalog. The winning choir will join Foreigner in performing their iconic hit, "I Want to Know What Love Is," at the Buffalo News Grandstand at the Erie County Fair.

The entry submission period is March 20 through April 25, with the public voting period set for April 30 through May 7. The prize is a $500 donation to the winning choir’s music program – and a once-in-a-lifetime performance with Foreigner.

This competition is open to middle and high school choirs. Submissions must be made by the choir director. Each choir may submit one audition video. There is no entry fee.

The winning choir will be selected through public voting, with each voter allowed one vote per email address per day. Voting begins April 30 at www.ecfair.org/foreignercontest. Only 25 student choir members and two adult chaperones will be permitted to participate.

Choir directors must complete the official entry form and submit the audition video by April 25. The entry form and additional details are available on the Erie County Fair’s website at www.ecfair.org/foreignercontest.

Foreigner will donate $500 to the winning choir’s music program, and the choir will perform live at the Erie County Fair on Aug. 7. This exciting partnership with Foreigner is part of the band's ongoing support of music education through its collaboration with the Grammy Foundation, which aims to promote the importance of music and the arts in public schools across North America.

Foreigner is a multi-Platinum classic rock band and one of the newest additions to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Tickets for the show will go on sale starting June 6 at ECFair.org. Buy in advance to receive free admission to the fair on the day of the concert.

With over 80 million records sold worldwide, Foreigner stands among the best-selling bands of all time. Known for nine Top 10 Hits – tying with Fleetwood Mac and surpassing Journey – they've earned their place as rock legends.

The 2025 Erie County Fair will be held Aug. 6-17. Visit www.ECFair.org.