BY DEBRA PALMIERI

dpalmieri@tnonline.com

Parkland High School Band Director Jason Lerew was recently named a winner in the Barry Manilow Music Project contest.

PPL Center, Allentown, was asked to give a music teacher list to the Barry Manilow Project and then ask for votes for an online contest to win the money.

Lerew, band director for the last 30 years, won $5,000 for himself and $5,000 for Parkland High School.

Manilow was in Allentown for a concert Aug. 12 at the PPL Center.

Lerew emailed The Press the following comment:

“Half the money goes toward buying instruments for the band,” Lerew wrote. “I don’t have any big plans for the portion that was given to me. (I’m a saver!)

Lerew said he was truly honored for being the winner.

“The other music teachers who were nominated are all outstanding music educators,” he said. “To be chosen from such a wonderful pool of colleagues is a highlight of my career as a teacher.

“Getting to meet Mr. Manilow was an incredible experience.”

Lerew said he was extremely grateful to all the band families, alumni, school and community members who voted for him and the school’s band program.

“Mr. Manilow told me we ‘crushed’ their record for the number of votes,” Lerew said. “I see this as a recognition of our outstanding band program here at Parkland, and am grateful for all of our music teachers, students and their families who make this kind of a quality band program possible.”