Introduction
Barry Manilow and His 15-Year Journey Supporting Music Education in Schools
Legendary singer Barry Manilow is not only known for his timeless hits but also for his passionate efforts to support music education in schools across the United States. In an emotional interview, he highlighted a troubling reality: many schools are running out of musical instruments due to budget cuts—often relying on old and broken equipment.
In response to this, 15 years ago, Manilow founded the Manilow Music Project, an organization dedicated to donating new or gently used instruments to schools in need. For him, helping children gain access to music is not just a duty, but a mission. Music, he believes, has the power to transform lives—turning students who may feel like outsiders into confident musicians in just a matter of weeks.
He shared a touching story about a young boy whose new tuba was taller than he was, and another about a class with six tuba students but only five instruments. These small moments reflect a much larger issue affecting the music education system. “Some of these kids drop out of school when music classes are cut,” Manilow explained. “That’s how important these programs are.”
He emphasized that music classes often become a second family for students—sometimes even more important than their real families. This emotional connection is what drives his continued commitment to putting instruments into schools.
To lawmakers and school board members considering further cuts, his message is simple but powerful: “Go visit your son or daughter’s music class, and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.”
For Barry Manilow, music is more than entertainment—it’s a life-changing force that deserves to be preserved and protected for future generations.
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