Viewers Confused by Music & Songs on the Game of Thrones’ Documentary, 'The Last Watch' - If you’re feeling confused by the song selection in the Game of Thrones documentary, The Last Watch, you’re not alone. Fans aren’t sure what to think about the music and lyrics in the documentary. Some fans absolutely love it, some only enjoyed some of the song selections, and some left thoroughly confused ... During the Night King scene, for example, the music that played was called “You Want It Darker” by Leonard Cohen. Some fans think they played the music just to troll with the viewers, since the scene was so dark that some fans couldn’t see everything that was happening. During the funeral scene, the music really didn’t seem to match the scene at all. They were filming a heartbreaking mass burial, but the song was about falling in love with lyrics like “Baby I want you come, come, come into my arms, Let me feel the wonder of all of you... The song they played was called “Could It Be Magic” by Barry Manilow. And some fans really liked the use of the song. (heavy., 5/27/2019) https://heavy.com/entertainment/2019/05/game-of-thrones-documentary-music-songs-the-last-watch/
Covers of Classic Gypsy Songs You Need To Know - Every theatre fan has their favorite Gypsy cast album ... The original production of Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurent's Gypsy opened on Broadway 60 years ago ... Because every theatre fan has their preferred Mama Rose (and we wouldn't dream of comparing the incandescent women who have played the role), we decided to seek out covers and versions of Gypsy's most-popular tunes—ranging from Judy Garland to Barry Manilow ("All I Need Is The Girl") to Billy Porter. (Playbill, 5/25/2019) http://www.playbill.com/article/15-covers-of-classic- gypsy-songs-you-need-to-know
Lorna Luft to Join Barry Manilow at the Hollywood Bowl - Theatre and concert entertainer Lorna Luft will join Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner Barry Manilow for his upcoming concert engagements at The Hollywood Bowl on September 6 and 7 at 8 PM. The longtime friends will share the Hollywood Bowl stage for the first time during the concerts that will feature the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Luft, the daughter of entertainment legend Judy Garland and Sid Luft, will perform material from her mother’s songbook. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Garland’s passing. For tickets, visit HollywoodBowl.com. (Playbill, 5/7/2019) http://www.playbill.com/article/lorna-luft-to-join- barry-manilow-at-the-hollywood-bowl
Wasilla High School band in the running to win $100,000 - The Wasilla High School band could win $100,000 from a national online music contest - and they sure could use it. Schools across the country entered the Manilow Music Contest, and people everywhere voted on their favorite student produced video showcasing the bands. Voting is now closed, but last we checked Wasilla High School was within the top three with the most votes. It is now up to the Manilow team to evaluate the videos and consider the voting in order to make their decision. (KTUU-2, 5/18/2019) https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/WATCH-Wasilla-High-School-band- in-the-running-to-win-100000-510120121.html
Cheney band enters to win $100K in instruments - Cheney High School announced [that] it has entered the running for a $100,000 instrument grant from award-winning musician Barry Manilow. Manilow and his foundation, the Manilow Music Project, are conducting a nationwide contest to award one high school band $100,000 in musical instruments and uniforms in response to budget cuts in public schools, according to a press release. Schools were asked to upload videos explaining who they are and why they need the instruments. According to the release, while several factors will determine the winner, including online votes, community involvement and level of need, Manilow will ultimately choose the winning school personally. “I personally benefitted from music programs when I was in school, and I’m thrilled to be able to help bring the gift of music to these kids,” Manilow said in a statement. Nearly 100 schools across the country have applied for the grant. A press release from the Manilow Music Project, which has donated about $10 million in instruments and scholarships, said Manilow has begun viewing submissions and a winner will be announced as soon as he has made his selection. Cheney High School’s bands and percussion director Josh Wisswell encouraged community members to vote for the school at https://manilowmusicproject.strutta.me/gallery?entry_id=1415670. Voters can also find a post on the Cheney High School bands Facebook page that will take them to that link, Wisswell said. (Cheney Free Press, 5/16/2019) https://www.cheneyfreepress.com/story/2019/05/16/education/cheney- band-enters-to-win-100k-in-instruments/24819.html
Tri-State band program hopes to win 100k grant - A Tri-State school district is hoping for what they say is much-needed upgrade to their band equipment. That's why they entered a contest by the Barry Manilow music foundation. The winner is awarded $100,000 worth of instruments. Christina Duffy is the band director at Liberty School District. Duffy said their instruments are in need of an upgrade. "I'm looking at a lot of different percussion equipment. Our timpani, for example, are over 50 years old. Our sousaphones which are our marching tubas are also over 50 years old. Our drum line equipment and harnesses were purchased a long time ago and our harnesses are honestly no longer safe for a lot of our students to wear," Duffy said. Fundraising can only get them so far. "I'm looking at different ways of fundraising but unfortunately you can only fundraise so much and so I'm looking at alternatives," Duffy explained. Until Duffy found out about the $100,000 Barry Manilow music foundation grant. Liberty freshman Shannon O'Neil said the lack of instruments lessens her chances of being in district band. "We're just in need of new instruments and getting better," O'Neil said. Winning the grant would change that. "The kids are getting excited and they're getting on board and they're just hoping for great things again," said para-educator Carla O'Neil. Shannon is her daughter. "My students are doing really, really, well with what we have but unfortunately in order for us to go to the next step both quantity and quality-wise we do need more instruments and better quality instruments," Duffy said. You can vote for Liberty Band at https://manilowmusicproject.strutta.me/gallery?entry_id=1415687 (KHQA-7, 5/14/2019) https://khqa.com/news/local/tri-state-band-program-hopes-to-win-100k-grant
Fevered Pitch: Stone County High Band Needs Your Vote - Help Stone County High School band students start the summer on a high note. The Stone County High School band, in Wiggins, Mississippi, is competing in the Manilow Music Project, a national contest that awards one deserving band program with $100,000 worth of much-needed instruments. The winner is selected through a combination of a review board and community votes. So far, the band has been able to get about 2,000 votes, but the entire Gulf Coast is needed to help the Stone County High School Band to reach the top of the leader board. Help is right at the tips of your fingers, and only takes a few seconds. Just go to the band’s facebook page to click their voting link. You have until May 15 to help out. We’ll keep you posted here on News 25 and News 25 Today. Help us put out some more great news about our local schools and community! (WXXV 25, 5/14/2019) https://www.wxxv25.com/2019/05/14/fevered-pitch-stone-county-high- band-needs-vote-schools-facebook-page-win-10000-program/
Shenandoah Valley Band Competing in Nationwide Contest - SHENANDOAH, Pa. -- A school in Schuylkill County is competing in a well-known competition against other schools across the country to benefit their music programs, and the contest is overseen by a famous musician. Duct tape holding together parts of a tuba -- not necessarily ideal, but here at Shenandoah Valley High School, the band's love for music is so pure, that if you give these students instruments in any condition, they'll find a way to make it work. "We may be small, but we're mighty and we have a lot of heart." That heart is on display in a video made by members of the school band and entered into the Manilow Music Project, a nationwide competition with a grand prize of $100,000. According to its website, the project's mission is to empower underfunded school music programs to provide quality music education by donating instruments, equipment, and scholarships. "I'm a one-person department here doing elementary and high school band. In addition to that, we have some lower-income students that makes it difficult to rent instruments," said band director John Shoener. Famous musician Barry Manilow is overseeing the contest and will have the final say as to who wins. If Shenandoah is victorious, Manilow will pay a visit to this Schuylkill County community. "To get the $100,000 would really open up a lot of opportunities for our band to get new instruments for the younger students coming up," said senior Rylea Gaverick. It didn't take long for the band to put together the video. After a script was written, they recorded their video submission and used iMovie to edit it together. "Vote, because we're a great program and we could really use it," said senior Sean James. Voting ends on Thursday. Click here to cast your vote. (WNEP 16 ABC, 5/14/2019) https://wnep.com/2019/05/14/shenandoah-valley-band-competing-in-nationwide-contest/
Lookout Valley, Ooltewah seek funds for instruments - Two Hamilton County high schools are seeking help to win the 2019 Manilow Music Project contest to fund instruments for the schools' bands. The winner of the contest will get $100,000 to spend on new instruments and uniforms. "This gift would make all the difference in the world," said Sam Mossbeck, a student in the Ooltewah band, in a news release. "It would make it so much easier to just focus on doing well in school and playing well." The Manilow Music Project was formed in 2008 by singer Barry Manilow in response to budget cuts to the arts in public schools. The project works to support young musicians through music education. To support Lookout Valley Middle/High's band, visit: https://manilowmusicproject.strutta.me/gallery?entry_id=1415639. To support Ooltewah high's band,visit: https://manilowmusicproject.strutta.me/gallery?entry_id=1415577. (Times Free Press, 5/13/2019) https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2019/may/13/ class-notes-cleveland-state-nursing/494550/
Smiths Station High School band participates in Manilow Music Project contest - The Smiths Station High School band is one of several bands across the country participating in a contest put on by the Manilow Music Project to provide funding to one lucky band. The band that ultimately wins will receive $100,000 worth of musical instruments and uniforms. As part of the contest, each band must create a video explaining who they are and why they should be chosen. Several factors will determine the winner, including online votes, community involvement, and level of need, but Barry Manilow, the famous pop singer and creator of the Manilow Music Project, will ultimately choose the winning school. As of 10 a.m. Monday morning, Smiths Station has 14,173 votes. They are in second place behind Great Oak High School in Temecula, California. Voting ends May 17, and a winner will be chosen shortly thereafter. To vote for Smiths Station, click on their video submission here. Smiths Station band members explained their candidacy and their need in a two-minute-and-40-second video submission. The video’s narrator explained that along with the band’s various successes comes their community involvement. Last winter, the band participated in a Toys for Tots Christmas drive and collected more than 400 toys that were delivered to local families on Christmas Day. The band also decided to not attend the Alabama Bandmasters Association’s assessments – which it had attended every year since 1995 – in order to help community members affected by the tornadoes that hit the area on March 3. In addition to gathering supplies, band members helped prepare a benefit concert which raised more than $4,500 for victims. Along with the band’s giving nature comes its need for the funding. Smiths Station band director Gene Butler detailed how out-of-date a considerable portion of the school’s equipment is in the submission video. “Many of the instruments our students are currently using are older than them. Our newest sousaphone is over 15 years old. Most of our baritones and French horns are over 10 years old,” Butler said. “At the junior high school, the students are using tubas that were purchased in 1994. Our students have worked very hard, as evidenced by the rewards they have received. They persevere through challenges to carry on the traditions of Smiths Station.” Per the video, the band would purchase mellophones, baritones, sousaphones, drumline [vibraphones] and concert French horns if chosen. The Manilow Music Project supports music education in a variety of ways. The project has donated thousands of instruments and also supports young musicians by offering merit and need-based scholarships to universities all over the country. Per the project's official website, it has distributed more than $10 million in instruments and funding since it was first created in 2008. (Opelika-Auburn News, 5/13/2019) https://www.oanow.com/news/lee_county/smiths-station-high-school-band- participates-in-manilow-music-project/article_2303607c-7592-11e9-af6e-5b855c1b3e48.html
Shenandoah Valley students create video to compete for $100K prize - The Shenandoah Valley High School band is competing against schools across the country to win a grand prize of $100,000 for its music program, including the purchase of new instruments. Since he came to Shenandoah Valley in 2017 as band director, John P. Shoener has had a large growth of students joining the elementary and high school band programs. The growth is great, but there are also the growing pains of needing more musical instruments. Shoener has promoted the public donating instruments in the past, which has been successful, but there is always a need for more. “I started Googling different grants that you can get for the band and eventually I saw that there was this Manilow contest,” Shoener said, referring to The Manilow Music Project, founded by singer/songwriter Barry Manilow. “You had to submit this five-minute video explaining the need for your school. You can win $100,000, but there are other prizes, such as a grand piano that will include a visit by Barry Manilow to the school. That would be pretty cool.” According to the project website, “The Manilow Music Project empowers underfunded school music programs to provide quality music education. By donating instruments and equipment and providing scholarships nationwide, we give disadvantaged young people the opportunity to experience community, passion, and creativity through the gift of music.” To vote for Shenandoah Valley, go to manilowmusicproject.strutta.me. The last day to vote is Thursday. “We have limited resources, especially with the elementary being a Title I status,” Shoener said. “From my first year of having seven kids when I got the job, I have 50 kids in the elementary fifth- and sixth- grade band. We had a successful instrument drive last year, but it’s always nice to get new instruments.” There are about 35 members of the high school band from Grades 7 through 12. At the top of Shoener’s wish list is a new grand piano. The instruments that are in most need are trumpets, clarinets and flutes. Manilow attended a high school in Brooklyn that was ranked the most dangerous one in all America, and he found his home in the high school orchestra class that he credits for changing his life. About 30 years ago he established scholarships for music programs around the country, and later when he discovered that many school districts, even the well-funded ones, had budget cuts for music programs, he established the music project. To date, The Manilow Music Project has distributed more than $10 million in instruments and funds. The votes are important, but there will be other determining factors considered by the judging committee to determine the winners. Shoener said Manilow will view every submitted video. The entry video made by Shoener and band members can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-JfJXL0qI0. (Republican Herald, 5/11/2019) https://www.republicanherald.com/news/shenandoah-valley- students-create-video-to-compete-for-100k-prize-1.2481446
Wasilla High School band enters national contest to win $100,000 - The Wasilla High School band recently gathered for an end of the year banquet to celebrate all their efforts, give out awards, eat, and reflect on all the progress everyone has made. Jackie Johnson, the band director, said there are 75 members of the band. They recently entered a video submission for the chance to win $100,000 for new equipment and uniforms from the Manilow Music Project, a national contest created by singer Barry Manilow as a response to budget cuts in public schools. Participating schools across the U.S. entered video to tell their stories and explain why they are in need of new equipment. Johnson said the need is certainly there at WHS. She said they are in dire need of new instruments and they haven’t had a new one in at least 20 years. “The equipment is holding them back, which is a shame,” Johnson said. The video was created by WHS junior and trumpet player Greg DeArmond, who spearheaded the project, shooting and editing the video. DeArmond said that he thought it would be a great opportunity to help the band and hone his filmmaking skills. The video details the fact that most of the instruments are in shoddy shape and flat out missing instruments and materials. “When I realized how much there was for this, how much people care I got really amped up about it,” DeArmond said. DeArmond said that he handled most of the video, investing over two weeks filming and editing. He also had some help from a few students like sophomore trombone player Brian Nagl along the way. Nagl said that his fondness for music has only grown over the years and loves being a part of a collective sound, the high school harmony. “We get to class and we play together and it sounds so good. It gets me pumped up,” Nagl said. (Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, 5/11/2019) https://www.frontiersman.com/news/wasilla-high-school-band-enters- national-contest-to-win-and/article_0477f3fe-73ab-11e9-a4e1-6b3a04b016d4.html
Shenandoah Valley Band Asking for Votes to Help Win $100,000 Worth of New Instruments - The Shenandoah Valley Band is asking for help to win contest where they could win $100,000 worth of equipment. The Manilow Music Project was started by singer and songwriter Barry Manilow. The project has donated thousands of instruments to schools nationwide and has also awarded scholarships to universities. This year, a contest was started for high schools to enter and win the chance to win $100,000 worth of instruments. Shenandoah Valley Band Director John Shoener found the contest and entered. Shoener says he entered the contest due to the amount of interest the students have in the program. "Our program, especially at the elementary level, is exploding with interest in our program" said Shoener. The band made a video and submitted and if they win, Barry Manilow will deliver the instruments himself to the school. Please consider voting at https://manilowmusicproject.strutta.me/gallery?entry_id=1415529 (Skook News, 5/10/2019) https://www.skooknews.com/2019/05/shenandoah-valley- band-asking-for-votes.html
LHS band competes for new uniforms - LEOMINSTER -- The high school band is participating in a nationwide online contest, sponsored by the Manilow Music Project, to win $100,000 for musical instruments and uniforms. The band submitted a four-minute video explaining who they are, why they need new instruments (many are in disrepair) and what being in the band means to them. While the city provides $1,500 each year, the band actually needs about $36,000 annually. The voting for the contest started last week and continues until musical legend Barry Manilow chooses a winner on May 16. To vote visit https://manilowmusicproject.strutta.me. (Sentinel & Enterprise, 5/10/2019) http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_32624254/lhs-band-competes-new-uniforms
Smiths Station High School band enters contest to win new instruments - The Smiths Station High School band is attempting to win $100,000 worth of new band instruments. The band entered the Barry Manilow contest called Manilow Project Music. The band received no money or budget from the school or district. The public can listen to the Smiths Station High School band and cast votes for the contest here. (WTVM 9 ABC, 5/10/2019) https://www.wtvm.com/2019/05/11/smiths-station-high-school- band-enters-contest-win-new-instruments/
Two Hamilton Co. school bands need your vote to win funds for uniforms, instruments - Two Hamilton County school bands need your vote to help them win funds to purchase new uniforms and instruments. Ooltewah High School and Lookout Valley Middle/High School are participating in the Manilow Music Project (MMP). The band that wins the contest will get $100,000 to spend on new instruments and uniforms. Both bands have uploaded videos online explaining why you should vote for them. Lookout Valley's video entry is called "Funding our Future in the Valley." The band's director, Shannon Stephens, talks in the video about the program's need for new instruments. A Hamilton County spokesperson said some of the school's instruments date back to the Korean War. One trombone even dates back to the late 1920s. “The band program has grown so much that we do not have enough quality instruments for all of our students to play,” Stephens said in the video. “This would change the tone of our band, and it would change the pride our students have in their performances.”
Ooltewah High's video was produced by students and discusses how the condition of the school's instruments is a problem. "The video also outlines the community work the band participates in to assist people in the Ooltewah community," a Hamilton County Schools spokesperson explained. If they win, the band would use the money to replace tubas and other instruments. “This gift would make all the difference in the world,” Sam Mossbeck, a student in the Ooltewah Band, said. “It would make it so much easier to just focus on doing well in school and playing well.”
Online votes, community involvement and the level of need all play a part in determining the winning school. Contest creator Barry Manilow will select the winner. You can vote online for both bands:
Local high school bands compete for $100,000, will buy new instruments with prize - HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. -- Two local high school bands are competing for a chance to win $100,000. They both know exactly where that money would go. Young musicians are playing music on instruments older than most of their parents. "Rusted, they're dented," said Lookout Valley Middle High School senior Kadijah Tinker. "They're almost impossible to play on." Tinker's been using the outdated equipment since sixth grade. That is why the school is competing in the Barry Manilow Music Project contest. Winning $100,000 would put a brand new instrument in every student's hands. HERE's HOW TO VOTE FOR LOOKOUT VALLEY MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL. "Having new instruments means more kids can play," Tinker said. "That would give people more opportunities to do music and try it out at least." The school is using a baritone that was played in 1963 and a trombone that dates back to 1926. More than 20 miles away at Ooltewah High School, the band program is in the same position. "If you don't have good equipment, it's hard to do a good job," said ban d director Dr. Timothy Ellis. HERE'S HOW TO VOTE FOR OOLTEWAH HIGH SCHOOL. He would replace the instruments beyond repair for his 120 musicians. Ellis wants his students to be able to focus on creating beautiful music. "Without having to worry about if something's going to fall off, if something needs to be taped," Ellis said. "How are we going to hold this instrument together while we perform?" Both schools rely solely on boosters and fundraisers to run their programs. If they fall short on winning this prize, they only have one solution. "Well, we have to make do until we can get them replaced," Ellis said. Barry Manilow himself will select the winning high school at some point before the end of May. The winner is selected based on online votes, community involvement, and level of need. (News Channel 9 ABC, 5/10/2019) https://newschannel9.com/news/local/local-high-school-bands- compete-for-100000-to-buy-new-instruments-with-prize
Four Phoenix-area schools need instruments and uniforms - Four Valley schools are competing for musical instruments and uniforms valued at $100,000 in a nationwide high school band contest run by award-winning pop star Barry Manilow and the manilowmusicproject.orgManilow Music Project. The local schools competing are Sandra Day O’Connor High School and Caurus Academy, both from Phoenix; Glendale High School; and Red Mountain High School in Mesa. Schools were asked to upload videos explaining who they are and why they need the instruments. Several factors will determine the winner -- including online votes, community involvement, and level of need, with Manilow choosing the winner. The contest is the superstar's response to budget cuts in public schools. In a press release, Manilow said, “I personally benefited from music programs when I was in school, and I’m thrilled to be able to help bring the gift of music to these kids." The singer spent a decade as one of the biggest pop stars on on the planet, from his chart-topping breakthrough with "Mandy" through "I Write the Songs," "Looks Like We Made It," and "Can't Smile Without You" to "Read 'Em and Weep." The Manilow Music Project was formed in 2008 as a way to give back with the gift of music. It has conducted instrument drives to benefit schools in almost every market the star has performed. He personally donated a Yamaha piano to launch each of those instrument drives, and also sponsors scholarships at national and international colleges and universities. In its first 12 years, the Manilow Music Project has donated more than $10 million in instruments and scholarships. The deadline for submissions closed on May 2, by which point nearly 100 schools across the country had entered the race. Manilow is reviewing all submissions. Once the final selection has been made, the winning school will be announced. For more information on the Manilow Music Project, visit manilowmusicproject.org (AZ Central, 5/9/2019) https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/ 2019/05/09/four-phoenix-area-schools-competing-barry- manilow-high-school-band-contest/1155996001/
Help ENC high school marching band get new uniforms and equipment - BEULAVILLE, Duplin County - An Eastern North Carolina high school's marching band is "in desperate need" of new uniforms and equipment -- but they're looking to change that. Nestled in the quiet town of Beulaville sits East Duplin High School. Tucked away and attached to an auditorium damaged by Hurricane Florence is the music room where Tom Seaman teaches dozens of students throughout the week. Seaman has been the high school's band director for three years and sees what students have had to deal with in order to perform. "I'm amazed with what they [students] have been able to do," Seaman said. Penny Rouse Harper, a band mom, says she knows several students have had to take scraps of cloth and piece uniforms back together. Seaman worries he may have to have students march in a t-shirt and jeans next year, killing their confidence as they perform. With instruments dating back several decades, issue after issue stacks up. "It's really holding us back from how much we can grow," Seaman said. While new percussion equipment, french horns, tubas and a baritone saxophone would also be nice, Seaman said winning will teach his students they don't have to be content with how things are. "So many of my students come from homes that struggle financially to make ends meet," Seaman said. "They come in and they're just self-defeated. I just think this, winning something that seems out of reach, will show them they can do anything." CLICK HERE to cast your vote and help the East Duplin High School marching band win $100,000 from the Manilow Music Project. The competition ends May 15 and you're allowed to vote once per day. (News 12 ABC, 5/9/2019) https://wcti12.com/news/local/enc-high-school- marching-band-needs-new-uniform-and-equipment
East Duplin Band competing to win money for new instruments - DUPLIN COUNTY, NC (WITN) A local high school band could win $100,000 for much needed new instruments, and they need as many votes as they can get in order to win. The band students at East Duplin High School are hopeful a contest through the Manilow Music Project could win them that money. Drum Major Reagan Harper says, "if we had more instruments and we sounded better, more people would want to join. We could be a huge band. This school is known for football, but I feel like we could be known for football and our marching band." The band does fundraisers, but it hasn't been enough to get the students, many with years of experience, instruments at their level. Some of them still play beginner's level instruments. Those need to be replaced, as well as their marching uniforms, which are falling apart at the seems. Teacher Tom Seaman says, "They have holes in them. A lot of them are like that. A lot of the students wear uniforms that aren't their size." The students submitted a video on the Manilow Music Project website, and with enough votes, they can win the money for what their teacher says, keeps them motivated. Seaman says, "They love it, they really do. There's a lot of them that band is the only reason they come to school, I think." To vote just click [here]. (WITN, 5/9/2019) https://www.witn.com/content/news/East-Duplin-Band- competing-to-win-money-for-new-instruments-509710811.html
Ooltewah High, Lookout Valley Bands Participating In Manilow Project Online Contest - The Ooltewah High’s band has joined Lookout Valley Middle High band on the leaderboard for the Manilow Music Project (MMP) contest for 2019. If one of the bands can win the contest, the winner will get $100,000 to spend on new instruments and uniforms. The bands need the public's vote for their video entry to top the current leaders and win the competition. Lookout Valley uploaded its video entry entitled “Funding our Future in the Valley” explaining who they are and why it is important for their band to win. In the Lookout Valley video, Shannon Stephens, the band director, talks about the need for instruments for the Lookout Valley Middle/High program. The school has instruments that date back to the Korean War and one trombone that dates back to 1929. The trombone is played daily in the band program. “The band program has grown so much that we do not have enough quality instruments for all of our students to play,” Director Stephens said in the video. “This would change the tone of our band, and it would change the pride our students have in their performances.” The Ooltewah High video was produced by the school’s media and journalism students and the band. The Ooltewah video also lists instruments and their condition as a problem. The band would use the funds to replace tubas and other instruments. The video also outlines the community work the band participates in to assist people in the Ooltewah community. “This gift would make all the difference in the world,” said Sam Mossbeck, a student in the Ooltewah Band. “It would make it so much easier to just focus on doing well in school and playing well.” Several factors determine the winning school including online votes, community involvement, and the level of need. The contest votes are important to sway the opinion of contest creator Barry Manilow. The singer/songwriter will ultimately decide the winner of the competition. The Manilow Music Project was formed in 2008 by Manilow in response to budget cuts to the arts in public schools. The Project works to support young musicians through music education. The contest was launched to celebrate Manilow’s 500th performance at the Westgate International Theatre. To vote for Ooltewah High’s band use the link (Ooltewah Band) To vote for Lookout Valley Middle/High band use the link (Lookout Valley Middle/High Band) (The Chattanoogan, 5/8/2019) http://chattanoogan.com/2019/5/8/389907/ Ooltewah-High-Lookout-Valley-Bands.aspx
Titusville Area School District Competing for Grant in High School Band Contest - The Titusville Area School District is asking for your vote to help win $100,000 in musical instruments and uniforms from Barry Manilow and The Manilow Music Project. It is one of nearly 100 high schools competing for the prize. Each school was asked to upload videos explaining who they are and why the need the instruments. Online votes, community involvement and level of need will play a factor in determining the winner, who will be ultimately chosen by Manilow. The contest was launched in response to budget cuts in public schools. VOTE HERE! (Erie News NOW, 5/8/2019) https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/40439873/titusville-area-school- district-competing-for-grant-in-high-school-band-contest
Sandalwood High School Band finalist in Manilow Music Project - The Sandalwood High School Band is a finalist in Barry Manilow's Manilow Music Project, which provides a school with $100,000 worth of instruments. QUICK FACTS:
The instruments students are using today are the same instruments used by students in 1993.
The band program doesn't receive funding from the district or the school.
Sandalwood is a Title 1 school; the band program has requested $3,000 each year from the nearly $500,000 Title 1 grant that the school receives, but has continuously been denied.
West Marion band submits video for $100K grant - FOXWORTH, MS (WDAM) - The West Marion High School Band is hoping pop music legend Barry Manilow will give them $100,000. Band members entered a video into a contest sponsored by the singer’s Manilow Music Project. The goal is to provide $100,000 worth of equipment and uniforms to a deserving high school music program. Online votes help determine which school gets the cash. At last report, West Marion was in sixth place out of 72 schools entered. [ Click here to vote for West Marion ] “I feel like the money would give us the advantage we need to get to the next level and have us where we need to be,” said Madison Myers, one of the band students who produced the video. She also appears in it. “We’re in the number six right now and just getting that far up in small town Columbia, MS, I think is incredible,” said C.J. Barnes, another band student who is in the video. Barry Manilow himself will choose the winning school, no matter what the vote totals are. The band should know by mid-May if they’ve won the contest. (WDAM.com, 5/8/2019) https://www.wdam.com/2019/05/08/west-marion-band-submits-video-k-grant/
Wasilla High's band competes for $100,000 in new instruments - Wasilla High School’s band wants your vote to help improve their run-down collection of instruments. The band is one of 72 from across the country competing in the Manilow Music Project’s online competition for $100,000 in new instruments. Senior Aurora Duskin says many of their percussion instruments are well past their prime. One of the bass drums has chunks missing from the rims; another snare is held together by a hair tie. “Without the hair tie, this latch would fall down which turns the snare off during a song,” Duskin says. Another drum head is pockmarked from decades of use. “It’s all worn from people jabbing it with their sticks and that really alters the sound,” she explains. This is band teacher Jackie Johnson’s first year at the school. She arrived to find the students were masters at the classics because those were all they’d had. “The most recent music file we had was 1997. None of these kids were born when this music was purchased,” Johnson says. She also found a long list of problems that included stands that are broken and cases that are falling apart. “This French horn is held together with tape. We have a lot of instruments held together with tape,” Johnson says. The school wants to start a marching band, but they don’t have the mobile equipment, like a sousaphone or marching baritones. Johnson also brought back the school's drum line, but had to get creative because there isn't enough traditional equipment to go around. Students use drum heads on top of stools. The shop class even had to make two additional stools to fill out the line. “There are six instruments and eight people. So that doesn’t work out so well,” Johnson says. The students showcased their problems in a video submission for the Manilow Music Project. Junior Greg Dearmond hopes new equipment would get more people interested in band. “I think it discourages a lot of people to get involved in music when they see a lot of the embarrassing, low-quality equipment we have,” the trumpet player says. Dearmond says he's amazed at how many people had shared Wasilla High's video and voted for the band. On Monday the group was third out of all the submissions. “It’s cool to know we’re in the thoughts of so many other people,” he says. The students hope the community will band together to help them win the contest and change their tune. Palmer's Colony High School is also competing in the Manilow Music Project. People can cast their votes on the project's website. Voting ends May 17. (KTVA - The Voice of Alaska, 5/6/2019) https://www.ktva.com/story/40426152/wasilla-highs-band- competes-for-dollar100000-in-new-instruments
Leominster High School bands look to win new instruments and uniforms - The Leominster High School Marching and Jazz Bands are hoping to leave the days of using broken and out-of-tune instruments behind by winning a national contest. As of Monday afternoon, the bands are in second place (behind a high school in Alabama) in a competition to win $100,000 for musical instruments and uniforms sponsored by the Manilow Music Project. The bands submitted a four-minute video explaining who they are, why they would like to win the instruments, and what being in the bands means to them. The video explained that the City of Leominster gives the bands $1,500 annually, but it takes around $36,000 each year to keep the bands going. The bands conduct fundraisers to close the gap and allow them to play at sports games, sendoffs for events like the Special Olympics and community events, as well as their biennial trip to Walt Disney World. Several students featured in the video held instruments that have seen better days, such as an alto saxophone that cannot play notes below a low G, a baritone saxophone and sousaphone held together with tape, and trumpets with valves that stick no matter how much oil is applied to them. The online voting part of the contest started Friday, May 3, and the Blue Devils have received nearly 3,500 votes as of Monday afternoon. That is almost 1,000 votes less than the entry from Smiths Station, Alabama. Fans and supporters of the LHS bands can vote once each day through the contest website, https://rebrand.ly/49bec. Online vote totals will be considered when a winner is chosen around May 16, along with "community involvement, level of need, and community appeal," according to the contest rules. Ultimately, the decision will be made by legendary musician Barry Manilow, who formed the Manilow Music Project in 2008 to provide musical instruments to middle and high school and music scholarships to college students in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. "I personally benefitted from music programs when I was in school, and I'm thrilled to be able to help bring the gift of music to these kids," Manilow stated in a press release announcing the contest. (Leominster Champion, 5/6/2019) https://www.leominsterchamp.com/news/20190506/leominster-high-school -bands-look-to-win-new-instruments-and-uniforms
Lorna Luft to Join Barry Manilow as a Special Guest - The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association announced today that Lorna Luft will return to the Hollywood Bowl, joining Barry Manilow as a special guest in the previously announced performances on Friday and Saturday, September 6 and 7. Born to the legendary Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft, Lorna began her career on her mother's TV show at the age of eleven. This summer, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Judy Garland's passing, Lorna Luft's Hollywood Bowl performances will celebrate her mother's songbook. Judy Garland first performed at the Hollywood Bowl in 1941. Lorna Luft continues to honor these memories with her book, A Star Is Born: Judy Garland and the Film that Got Away, which was released in September last year to great acclaim, and in her one-woman show and CD, Songs My Mother Taught Me. Lorna Luft went on to perform on Broadway in Promises, Promises; Snoopy, the Musical; and Extremities. She has performed in domestic and international productions of They're Playing Our Song; Guys and Dolls; Grease; The Wizard of Oz; Holiday Inn; and White Christmas. She appeared on film and TV in Grease 2; Where the Boys Are ('84); and Trapper John, M.D. Lorna co-produced Life with Judy Garland, the Emmy®-winning miniseries based on her memoir Me and My Shadows. Though they have been close friends for over 47 years, this will be the first time that Lorna Luft and Barry Manilow have shared the Hollywood Bowl stage. Dubbed by Rolling Stone as "The Showman of Our Generation," Grammy®, Emmy®, and Tony® Award winner Barry Manilow brings two nights of non-stop hits to the Hollywood Bowl stage with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Having sold more than 85 million albums worldwide, Barry Manilow is one of the world's all-time bestselling recording artists. The musician has had an astonishing 50 Top 40 singles, including 12 No.1 and 27 Top 10 hits. He is ranked as the No.1 Adult Contemporary Artist of all time, according to Billboard and R&R magazines. (Broadway World, 5/2/2019) https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/Lorna-Luft- to-Join-Barry-Manilow-as-a-Special-Guest-20190502
Help Smiths Station High School WIN $100,000 in new instruments - SMITHS STATION, Alabama - Smiths Station High School band students need your help earning $100,000 worth of instruments! All you have to do is click and vote online. Smiths Station High School has applied for the Manilow Music Project, which awards $100,000 for instruments for the school with the highest number of votes. Smiths Station has been in either first or second place in votes since polling started on Friday. However, News 3 is learning another school surged in votes since the story appeared on their local news outlets. Well... WRBL is On Your Side, students. We are doing the best we can to encourage our viewers to vote. News 3 is learning the band has been using the same instruments purchased from back in the '70s, yet the school still manages to produce outstanding marching, concert, and jazz programs over the years. SSHS band students are continually giving back to their community. They work for Toys for Tots, and after the devastating March 3rd tornados target their community and others in East Alabama, the students continue to help with recovery efforts. SSHS students, News 3 is pulling for you to win these new instruments. We hope to do a follow-up story soon! Good Luck. CAST YOUR VOTE HERE FOR SMITHS STATION HIGH SCHOOL (WRBL.com, 5/6/2019) https://www.wrbl.com/news/local-news/click-here-to-help-smiths-station- high-school-win-100-000-in-new-instruments/1983742940
Browning Public Schools music program enters national competition - Students in Browning have entered a national competition for musicians. The Manilow Music Project will award one school’s music program $100,000 in musical instruments. The mission of the project is to help empower underfunded school music programs. In her program’s submission, Browning Public Schools band director June Matt says that if she could have a K-12 program, her students could reach new heights. Students also say they want the right tools to be able to excel in the music program. (KTVH Helena, 5/6/2019) http://ktvh.com/news/2019/05/06/browning-public-schools- music-program-enters-national-competition/
Beaumont Magnet Academy competing in Manilow Music Project - A Knox County school is competing in a national competition aimed at help kids have access to music education and equipment. Beaumont Magnet Academy is participating in a competition held in the Manilow Music Project in hopes of scoring funding for better equipment and opportunities for music education. The Manilow Music Project helps support music education by donating thousands of instruments to schools around the country and offering grants and merit-based scholarships. The foundation was started by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, Barry Manilow. Click here to vote for Beaumont Magnet Academy. (WATE ABC-6, 5/6/2019) https://www.wate.com/news/as-seen-on-wate/beaumont-magnet-academy- competing-in-manilow-music-project/1982227938
Wasilla High School band could win $100,000 for new equipment - The Wasilla High School band is in the running to win $100,000 for new equipment, but they need your votes to make it happen. Band students at Wasilla High School recently produced a video entry for the Manilow Music Project contest, a contest that awards $100,000 for instruments to a band in need. Wasilla High School band teacher, Jackie Johnson, says it's been at least 20 years since any new equipment or materials were purchased for the band. The School is hoping to start a marching band in the future with the hopes of taking part in more community events. However, this can't happen with the current equipment on hand. The students and teachers say some pieces are even being held together by tape and hair ties. You can view the video here, and vote for Wasilla High School on the Manilow Music Project contest website. Voting closes on May 17, 2019. (KTUU Anchorage, 5/5/2019) https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Wasilla-High-School-band- could-win-100000-for-new-equipment-509508931.html
Marching band could win $100,000 in equipment - JACKSONVILLE, Florida - Sandalwood High School marching band is up for $100,000 in new equipment through the Barry Manilow Music Project. They're the only band in Northeast Florida to make the final cut. But they need your votes to win. The Marching Saints need votes on the project's website. There is a video on Sandal High's Facebook page with a link to the voting page or you can vote on the website directly. Band director Stephan Panoff says there are currently no funds provided for instruments and the band relies 100% on fundraising to buy and fix instruments. Many of Sandalwood’s instruments are 30 years old or cheap knockoffs. He said a lack of funds also keeps the group of 150 students from competing in competitions they qualify for. Panoff said the impact of the scholarship would be huge for Sandalwoods' Marching Saints. The voting will remain open until May 17, 2019. (News4JAX, 5/3/2019) https://www.news4jax.com/community/marching-band-could-win- 100000-in-equipment
SV band seeking votes to win $100,000 worth of instruments - The Shenandoah Valley High School band is seeking the public's help to win $100,000 worth of instruments in a national contest. The Blue Devils are entered in a contest through the Manilow Music Project, created by Barry Manilow to "empower underfunded school music programs to provide quality music education." The SV band, along with a multitude of others from across the nation, entered the contest by creating a video highlighting the band. The video features Band Director John Shoener and several band members. As of Friday afternoon, Shenandoah had received 32 votes. SV's entry can be seen and voted on here: https://manilowmusicproject.strutta.me/gallery?entry_id=1415529 (Shenandoah Sentinel, 5/3/2019) https://www.shensentinel.com/news/sv-band-seeking-votes- to-win-100000-worth-of-instruments
