Barry Manilow Announces Return of the Manilow Music Teacher Award, Honoring Outstanding Educators Across Upcoming Farewell Tour Markets

Manilow’s New “Once Before I Go” Music Video Out Now - Watch Here

 

 

November 24, 2025 — GRAMMY®, TONY®, and EMMY® Award-winning music icon Barry Manilow has announced the return of the Manilow Music Teacher Award, a national initiative celebrating outstanding music educators across the country. The program coincides with Manilow’s farewell performances in nine U.S. cities this January. These dates mark his final concerts in each market, offering one last opportunity to celebrate a career that has defined popular music for more than five decades.

Created through the Manilow Music Project, a program of the Manilow Fund, the Manilow Music Teacher Award honors educators whose passion and dedication help bring music to life for their students. In each tour market, the teacher receiving the most online votes will be recognized live onstage during Manilow’s concert and will receive a total prize of $10,000 — a $5,000 cash award and $5,000 in “Manilow Bucks” for classroom instrument purchases.

Nominees for the upcoming Manilow Teacher Award have been unveiled today. Please see below to vote in each upcoming tour market. Voting closes on December 15th, with the winner announcement to follow later in December.

“While Barry continues his extraordinary career with arena shows this spring and summer, he has chosen to share the spotlight with those he believes truly deserve it: music educators,” said Matt Parrish, President of the Manilow Fund.

Participating Cities – January 2026 Farewell Performances

• Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena (VOTE HERE) – January 6
• Orlando, FL – Kia Center (VOTE HERE) – January 7
• Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena (VOTE HERE) – January 8
• Estero, FL – Hertz Arena (VOTE HERE) – January 10 and 11
• Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (VOTE HERE) – January 12
• Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum (VOTE HERE) – January 14
• Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum (VOTE HERE) – January 15
• Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena (VOTE HERE) – January 16
• Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena (VOTE HERE) – January 18

In addition to celebrating each Manilow Teacher Award winner during the upcoming shows, audiences can expect an unforgettable evening as Manilow performs his greatest hits, including “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” “Looks Like We Made It,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” and “Copacabana (At the Copa).” With his signature showmanship and timeless catalog, each performance will be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration with one of music’s most legendary performers. For all dates, tickets, and VIP packages, please visit https://barrymanilow.com/. 

Manilow recently released a music video for his new single “Once Before I Go,” which is bulleting up the charts. In the video, Manilow portrays a character who sacrifices a traditional family life to pursue his dream as a performer. Filmed at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, home to Manilow’s record-setting and critically-acclaimed residency, the video is directed by Jamie Thraves. 

“Once Before I Go” was produced by Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Demonte Posey, and written by Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford. Watch the music video, out now, HERE.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Barry Manilow has become one of the most celebrated entertainers in history. Named the #1 Adult Contemporary Artist of all time by Billboard and R&R magazines, he has sold more than 85 million albums worldwide, released over 40 albums, and earned 51 Top 40 singles, including 13 #1s and 28 Top 10 hits. A Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Manilow has earned GRAMMY®, TONY®, and EMMY® Awards and has been honored with the BMI Icon Award. 

His long-running Las Vegas residency has been hailed among the city’s best, and his record-breaking appearances at Radio City Music Hall cement his place as one of the venue’s all-time greats. In addition to his recording and touring success, Manilow’s original Broadway musical Harmony was named a 2023 New York Times Critic’s Pick, further underscoring his enduring creativity. Beyond the stage, he founded the Manilow Music Project, which has donated millions of dollars in instruments and resources to schools across the country, ensuring future generations have access to music education.

In April 2026, Manilow will be presented with the American Advertising Federation (AAF)'s 2026 prestigious President’s Award at the AAF's Advertising Hall of Fame induction ceremony for his incredible work in advertising. Manilow has produced, composed, and performed some of the most iconic commercial jingles of all time for companies and brands such as State Farm, Band-Aid, KFC, Pepsi, McDonald’s and more.

 

For more information on Barry Manilow, please contact:

Allison Elbl & Taylor Perry at Shore Fire Media