The Portland Press Herald reported that Barry Manilow’s farewell show at Portland’s Cross Insurance Arena featured hits such as “Mandy,” “Can’t Smile Without You” and the finale “Copacabana (At the Copa).”
The same outlet noted that the concert included a special segment honoring Gorham High School music teacher Isaac Hawkins, who was presented with the $10,000 Manilow Music Teacher Award from the Manilow Music Project.
According to the report, the award comprised a $5,000 cash prize and $5,000 in “Manilow Bucks” earmarked for classroom instrument purchases.
The Portland Press Herald said Hawkins, 30, has served as Gorham High’s band director and music teacher since 2022 and learned of the contest last year, with voting opening in February and closing in mid‑March.
The article added that Hawkins was notified at the end of March that he had won, beating roughly ten other Maine music teachers.
It also reported that Hawkins attended the concert with his husband, Eddie Holmes, a music teacher at Waynflete School, along with his mother‑in‑law, friends and colleagues who helped promote the vote.
Before the performance, the press noted that Hawkins and his party met Manilow backstage, where the singer asked about Hawkins’s teaching motivation, instrument and musical influences.
The coverage described Manilow’s on‑stage rendition of the “William Tell Overture,” followed by a story about his grandfather and the announcement of Hawkins as the award recipient.
The report said Hawkins, seated in the 10th row, stood to wave as the audience applauded, and he expressed shock and honor at the recognition, crediting his community, hometown voters and family for the support.
Finally, the article identified Hawkins as a native of Steelton, Pennsylvania, and reiterated that the Manilow Music Project aims to give young people opportunities to experience community, passion and creativity through music.
For more information, visit pressherald.com.