The Lookout Valley Middle High band is on the leader board for the Manilow Music Project (MMP) contest for 2019. If the band can win the contest, the group stands to win $100,000 worth of instruments and uniforms. The band needs your vote for their video entry to top the current leaders and win the competition.
Lookout Valley uploaded their video entry entitled “Funding our Future in the Valley” explaining who they are and why it is important for their band to win. Lookout Valley currently has approximately 650 votes, so they need your support and vote. Entries for the competition closed on May 2nd, and the winner will be chosen soon. 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.
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,” Stephens shares in the video. “This would change the tone of our band, and it would change the pride our students have in their performances.”
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 Lookout Valley Middle/High band’s video and help them win $100,000 worth of instruments, visit
https://manilowmusicproject.strutta.me/gallery?entry_id=1415639&filter=Leaderboard