Barry Manilow giving piano to Uniondale schools to encourage musical instrument donations

He writes the songs -- and now he wants to help others make music, too.

Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow is giving a piano to the Uniondale school district and is encouraging people to also donate their musical instruments.

Manilow, who is to perform at Nassau Coliseum on Friday, will give two free tickets to anyone who donates new or gently used instruments starting Monday until just a few hours before the concert.

"Music is a vital part of a child's education," Manilow said in a statement. "I am proud to help bring excellent music education to these kids and hope others will follow in my footsteps."

The drop-off location for the instrument drive is at the Nassau Coliseum box office, which is open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Uniondale schools were selected to receive the donations because the Coliseum is located in the district.

The Manilow Music Project, a nonprofit formed by the singer, will donate a Yamaha piano to the Uniondale school district on his behalf. The piano will be donated at the conclusion of the 71-year-old singer's "One Last Time! Tour" concert on Friday.

Uniondale school officials lauded Manilow's donation.

"We hope this will encourage more donations and bring music to Uniondale schools to help our students build character to achieve success," Superintendent William Lloyd said.

Manilow, who has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide, has said this tour, which is to wrap up at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 17, will be his last multiple-arena trek.

The singer formed The Manilow Music Project, which is part of his nonprofit Manilow Health and Hope Fund, in response to the needs of local public schools and their depleted music programs, the organization's website says.

By Joie Tyrrell

joie.tyrrell@newsday.com@JoieTyrrell

Joie Tyrrell is a Long Island native and covers education for Newsday, where she has worked since 1998.