Brownsburg High School band director gets $10K, standing ovation at Barry Manilow show

A Brownsburg High School band director received the Manilow Music Teacher Award Friday night, which came with a $10,000 prize and a standing ovation during Barry Manilow's Friday night show at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The award is part of the Manilow Music Project's effort to honor high school teachers in cities along the artist's summer tour. Up to 10 schools in each city along the tour were asked to submit nominees and vote for their favorite teacher.

John Marque , the Brownsburg program's assistant band director and who also teaches percussion and music theory, received the honor, which includes a $5,000 cash prize and $5,000 to purchase instruments for the program.

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“Thank you for your commitment to the music, John, and to your students," Manilow said onstage. He added that his experience in high school band made him go from feeling like a misfit to a musician.

"Music classes are so much more (than a class)," he said. "Kids learn how to interact with other students, they become better students, they become better people. Music can change a kid’s life."

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The Manilow Music Project was founded in response to budget cuts in school districts across the country that have harmed school band programs, according to its website . The organization provides instruments and grants as well as merit- and need-based scholarships, and has distributed more than $10 million in instruments and funds to schools.

Brownsburg's wasn't the only Hoosier performing arts program to be recognized by a touring artist Friday. At Ruoff Music Center, Foreigner was joined onstage by a jazz choir from Northview High School in Brazil, Indiana, to sing their iconic hit, "I Want to Know What Love Is."

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Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at holly.hays@indystar.com. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Brownsburg High School band director gets $10K, standing ovation at Barry Manilow show