Palm Springs resident Barry Manilow is slated to expand the Manilow Music Project he started with Coachella Valley schools into the Los Angeles Unified School District, it was announced this week.

Manilow will perform a benefit for the fund Oct. 24 at the Hollywood Bowl with a VIP reception starting at 5 p.m. and a concert beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Manilowfund.org said Manilow planned the benefit "in response to California's budget crisis and the drastic cuts in music programs in public schools... This gala event will put instruments into the hands of students in the Los Angeles Unified School District."

Manilow donated $500,000 worth of music instruments and sheet music to 20 Coachella Valley schools in January with sponsorships from the Yamaha music company, Hal Leonard Music and the Toys R Us Children’s Fund.

Los Angeles is the first region outside of the Coachella Valley in which he has begun a campaign for musical instruments for local students.

VIP tickets, including admission to the pre-show benefit reception at the Hollywood Bowl are available for $500 and $2,500 at . www.starz.bz/manilowmusic Sponsorships are available for $5,000 to $2,500.

(Source: The Desert Sun)