ORLANDO, Fla. – In the Seminole County school district, “Manilow bucks” go far.
Grammy award-winning performer Barry Manilow is set to award Lake Howell High School’s Director of Bands José Eslava $10,000 at a one-night-only concert on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
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“It is wonderful to partner with our concert venues to identify schools and music teachers in their neighborhoods that deserve this small token of my gratitude,” Manilow said of the program in a statement. “Many school music programs have either been terminated, or their funds have been severely depleted. I always want to do my part through The Manilow Music Project to keep music in schools.”
Eslava was selected by Central Florida school boards and the Amway Center to receive a $5,000 cash award and another $5,000 in “Manilow bucks,” money presented by the singer so the recipient can purchase instruments for his school’s music program.
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In addition to the cash award, the band director received VIP tickets to Manilow’s concert at the Amway Center on Tuesday, where he will meet the performer.
The Manilow Music Project, which distributes funding to local music teachers and programs across the U.S., has contributed over $10 million in funding and music instrument donations to date.
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