LAS VEGAS -- Bearing the brunt of budget cuts, music teachers say there are fewer instruments to go around, and that means the students who can't afford their own are often out of luck.
Legendary singer Barry Manilow saw the need and is putting 600 new instruments into the hands of students through his Manilow Music Project. It's the largest donation of its kind for Clark County music program.
Manilow says orchestra played an important role in his life early on and is doing what he can to afford schools and families going through tough times the ability to make music.
Five semi-trucks full of brand new instruments took off to their destinations. Bridger Middle School's band program is one of the selected recipients. Jada Wilson plays the flute. Like her class, she got a crash course in Barry Manilow 101.
"I've heard his songs, but I never knew he was the one singing them," she said.
"He called himself the Justin Bieber of the 1970's. I think they could kind of relate to that," said band teacher Matthew Syms.
The much-needed brand new instruments finally arrived at Bridger, a magnet school mixed with low-income students.
Manilow says band allowed him to be creative and gave him confidence. "I felt like I knew where I was. I felt like I was grounded in that orchestra class -- I could be funny and smart."
The donation affords these students to do that. Thankful for their gifts, Wilson says her classmates are the newest Fanilows.
Manilow got a kick out of Valley High's rendition of Copacabana. He says it was it pretty good, considering the song came out before any of them were born.
The donation was part of the Manilow Music Project that the legendary singer says gives him a chance to share his love of music with thousands of aspiring young musicians.
