Barry Manilow helps Mich. students get instruments

Associated Press

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Some Michigan school students will have Barry Manilow to thank for their musical instruments.

MLive.com reports (http://bit.ly/M1H5NW ) that the entertainer launched an instrument drive for Grand Rapids schools, offering two free tickets to his show there last week to anyone who donated new or gently used instruments. He kicked off the effort by donating a piano. At last count, 25 instruments were donated.

Music teacher Tamara Baldwin-Raglin was among those who donated. She gave clarinet that she'd had since grade school and says Manilow is an inspiration.

Other instruments received included a keyboard, trombone, oboe, flute and guitar.

The Manilow Music Project provides musical instruments to high schools and middle schools and music scholarships to universities.

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Online:

http://www.manilowmusicproject.org