In a gesture that mixed philanthropy with a dollop of star power, music teacher Jason Weimer of Riverton High School in Utah had a Monday night to remember. During a concert at the Maverik Center, pop sensation Barry Manilow interrupted his usual string of classic hits to present Weimer with a $10,000 check as part of the "Manilow Music Teacher Award." According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Weimer was selected for his dedication to music education, and the award came complete with a handshake and a public recognition from the music legend himself during the event.
Barry Manilow, whose track record includes chartbusters like "Copacabana" and "Mandy," carved out a moment at his concert to shine the spotlight on Weimer, showcasing the importance of music education. "They love you! You won!" exclaimed Manilow, as reported by The Salt Lake Tribune. Weimer's resume boasts an impressive tenure as a music teacher, having taught at West Jordan, Copper Hills, and Jordan High Schools before taking on his current role at Riverton High. When Weimer was 11 years old, he began playing the clarinet, an instrumental affinity shared with Manilow. He teaches symphonic band, various levels of orchestra, and AP music theory.
The connection between the two clarinetists sparked a conversation about their shared experience with the instrument. "My testimonial is that I have seen how much positivity comes through music education for the students. Anybody who walks through the doors can get something out of music," Weimer told KSL. "It's universal. Come one, come all. That's the best part about music."
