Barry Manilow donates piano to Wilkes-Barre high school, launches local music instrument drive before March 13 concert

From a press release:
Legendary singer/songwriter Barry Manilow hopes others will once again follow his philanthropic lead as he brings his Manilow Music Project to the Leo E. Solomon/Plains Junior High School in Wilkes-Barre. The pop icon plans to donate a Yamaha piano to launch a local music instrument drive. Anyone who donates a new or gently used musical instrument one week prior to Manilow’s concert at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Sunday, March 13 will receive two free tickets (valid for pre-selected seat locations on a first-come, first-served 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.
“I’m thrilled to once again bring the gift of music to these kids,” Manilow said.
The NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena (255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Twp.) will serve as the base for the instrument drive from March 7-March 12. The instrument drop-off location is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
“Our school in honored and privileged to receive donated instruments from the community and to have Barry Manilow recognize the importance of music education in today’s society,” said Brian Fischer, a music educator at Solomon/Plains Jr. High School. “What an amazing contribution to our school district and the people it serves.”
The Manilow Music Project is part of the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope. It was formed as a grassroots organization to assist local charities 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 U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
With worldwide record sales exceeding 80 million, Manilow’s unparalleled 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 during the course of his career. He has also written and produced songs for Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Dionne Warwick, and many more and has been honored with a Grammy, two Emmys, a Tony Award, an Oscar nomination, and a top-selling autobiography.
After performing more than 400 concerts at the Las Vegas Hilton and Paris Las Vegas from 2005 through 2011, Manilow has limited his concert appearances. His “One Last Time! Tour” is a major undertaking, and as Manilow said, “is my way of thanking everyone for their years of support…one last time!”
His career skyrocketed to superstardom when his mega hit song, “Mandy,” topped the charts in 1975. In the spirit of that special year, tickets will be priced to tie into that year and will start at $19.75, fees included. Manilow insisted that the average ticket price remain low and that a greater range of ticket prices be available.
Tickets for the Wilkes-Barre stop on this final tour are available online at manilow.com and all Ticketmaster outlets as well as the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena. Order tickets by phone by calling 800-745-3000.