A foreigner performing with the Steinbach Choir

Its members weren't born when Foreigner's “I Wanna Know What Love Is” topped the charts, but a Manitoba high school choir is ready to take the power ballad on stage with the iconic '80s band.

On Thursday night, the Steinbach Regional High School (SRSS) Spectral Vocal Jazz Choir will join the Foreigners on stage at the Canadian Life Centre.

“It's just been a whirlwind,” choir director Christel Peters told CTV Morning Live Winnipeg.

The choir kicked off the concert with an online contest by radio station BOUNCE 99.9. He invited school choirs in the area to submit videos of their version of the mega-hit. The public then voted for their favorites.

“I presented it to the students, and what an opportunity to take a piece and try to adapt it to your group and have fun,” Peters said.

According to him, half of the choir members aged 16-18 already knew the song.

They decided to do an acapella version, with some voices serving as instruments, some singing the melody, and others doing the beatboxing.

“They were very creative with it,” Peters said.

From there, the choir encouraged their congregation to vote as many as they could muster.

In the end, SRSS not only won the chance to perform with a foreigner, but also received a $500 scholarship from the group.

Peters says he's excited to see his students' work behind the scenes of a large, arena concert.

Most of all, he is proud of the work he has done to bring them to such a big stage.

“They're really sincere, great students, and they're really excited to be a part of this, and I think it's a great opportunity.”

– With files from CTV's Rachel Lagasse