Jason Weimer at Riverton High School received the award as part of the Manilow Music Project, which supports underfunded school music programs.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Riverton High School’s performing arts director Jason Weimer, second from right, poses for a photo with Barry Manilow as Weimer receives an award from the Manilow Music Project, an organization that supports local music programs, before Manilow’s concert during his farewell tour at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Monday, July 14, 2025.
West Valley City • Jason Weimer went to the Maverik Center on Monday night and got a $10,000 check and a handshake from pop icon Barry Manilow.
“They love you! You won!” Manilow told Weimer, a music teacher at Riverton High School, before Monday’s concert.
Manilow, known for such hit songs as “Mandy” and “Copacabana,” presented Weimer with a giant check for $10,000, as a “Manilow Music Teacher Award.” He also acknowledged Weimer from the Maverik Center stage during the concert.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Riverton High School’s performing arts director Jason Weimer, left, poses for a photo with Barry Manilow before Weimer receives an award from the Manilow Music Project, an organization that supports local music programs, before Manilow’s concert during his farewell tour at Maverik Center in West Valley City on Monday, July 14, 2025.
Manilow has been giving such awards to music teachers at different stops on his farewell tour. It’s part of the Manilow Music Project, which the 82-year-old singer-songwriter started 15 years ago to support underfunded music programs in schools.
Half the money goes to the program at Riverton High, Weimer said, and will go to buy instruments. The other half goes to Weimer personally, and he said he’ll use it to pay off his grad school tuition.
Weimer — who teaches band, orchestra and music theory to around 200 students — said he initially felt “intimidated” by the nomination, but realized it could be an inspiration for his students.
During the voting process, Weimer said his students told their parents to vote for him.
“I feel gratitude for my family, my friends and my community,” Weimer said after receiving the award, which he hopes will inspire both for parents and students.
“Parents often tell me, ‘My kid will not major in music,’” Weimer said. “I tell them, ‘I didn’t major in math, but I still use it.’”