Public Can Trade a New or Gently Used Musical Instrument For Free Tickets to Manilow’s January 24th Concert

[Ft. Myers, FL—December 13, 2013] – Legendary singer-songwriter Barry Manilow hopes others will once again follow his philanthropic lead as he brings his Manilow Music Project to Lee County School District in Florida.  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 to the Germain Arena Capital Bank Box Office will receive 2 free tickets (valid for pre-selected seat locations) for Manilow’s January 24th 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 be able to help bring the gift of music to these kids,” added Manilow.

The Germain Arena will be the base for the instrument drive in Ft. Myers from now through January 24th. The instrument drop off location is open 10:00am -6:00pm Monday through Friday and weekend business hours on Saturday from 10:00 -2:00. For weekend shows, the Box Office will close 30 minutes after the start of the event on Saturday and will open 4 hours before the start of the event and close 30 minutes after the event begins for Sunday shows.

“It is most encouraging that someone with the success and notoriety that Barry Manilow has earned still remains aware of the importance of arts and music in the development of our young people,” said Dr. Nancy Graham, Superintendent of Lee County School District.

Marshall T. Bower Esq., President and CEO of the Lee School Foundation added, “The education of our greatest asset, our children, is, as it should be, a topic of national importance these days. There is a lot of emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education so that our children can compete in a global economy. It is equally important to remember that music and the arts are important in the conversation. After all students who participate in the arts tend to do very well in math and science! Mr. Manilow obviously understands this and he is to be applauded for the wonderful opportunity he is affording our students through this instrument drive.”

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 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 US, Canada, and the UK. More information on the Manilow Music Project can be found at http://www.manilowmusicproject.org/.

Tickets are available online at Manilow.com or Ticketmaster.com, in person at the Germain Arena Capital Bank Box Office, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

With worldwide record sales exceeding 80 million, Barry 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.  He has been honored with a Grammy, two Emmys, a Tony Award, an Oscar nomination, and a top selling autobiography.