Barry Manilow giving piano to NY school district

UNIONDALE, NY -- Barry Manilow is giving a piano to a New York school district and he's urging others to donate musical instruments for schoolchildren to play.

Newsday reports that the 71-year-old Manilow is donating a piano to the Uniondale school district on Long Island.

The crooner is performing at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale on Friday. He's giving two concert tickets to anyone who makes a donation of a new or gently used instrument.

Manilow says music is "a vital part of a child's education."

Uniondale Superintendent William Lloyd says he hopes Manilow's gift will encourage more donations and help students "build character to achieve success."

The donation is part of the singer's Manilow Music Project. Manilow says he started the project to help public schools with depleted music programs.