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January 22, 2016
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Manilow piano part of music drive for schools From Varela Media
Legendary singer-songwriter Barry Manilow hopes others will once again follow his philanthropic lead as he brings his Manilow Music Project to the Escambia County School District in Florida. The pop icon is donating a Yamaha piano to launch a local music instrument drive. Anyone who donates a new or gently used musical instrument at the Pensacola Bay Center box office in the days prior to his Jan. 28 stop in Pensacola will receive two free tickets (valid for pre-selected seats on a firstcome, first-serve basis) to the show. The Manilow Music Project has conducted music instrument drives all over the country to assist local schools with their music programs.
Barry Manilow is relaunching his multiplecity One Last Time! tour with a concert Jan. 28 in Pensacola.
“I’m thrilled to once again bring the gift of music to these kids,” Manilow said. The box office will serve as the base for the instrument drive in Pensacola through Jan. 28. The instrument drop off location is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“Escambia County School District is honored to support the Manilow Music Project for our music students in need, said Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. “We know that electives such as band and chorus keep our students in school. “The Barry Manilow Music Project will allow many students who could not afford an instrument to be part of our band programs through the generosity of the public’s donation of instruments. We thank Mr. Manilow for his support for music education in our public schools. We look forward to the generous donations by our community to share the gift of music with our students,” he said. The Manilow Music Project (MMP) is part of The Manilow Fund for Health and Hope. It was formed as a grass roots organization to assist local chari-
ties and programs. Its primary focus is to provide musical instruments to high schools and middle schools and to provide music scholarships at universities throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. More information on the Manilow Music Project can be found at www.manilowmusicproject.org. With worldwide record sales exceeding 80 million, Manilow’s career encompasses virtually every arena of entertainment, including performing, writing, composing, arranging and producing. A Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Manilow has produced, arranged, and released more than 40 albums. He has been honored with a Grammy, two Emmys, a Tony Award, an Oscar nomination and a top selling autobiography.
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