Jay Thomas Jr., a veteran Crestwood High School music teacher, has been nominated for the Manilow Music Teacher Award.
The award honors outstanding music teachers who help to bring music to life for their students and is presented in each tour city where Barry Manilow performs.
“I certainly was surprised,” Thomas said of his nomination. “I knew Barry Manilow is going to be performing locally, but I didn’t know there was an award tied to his foundation.”
Thomas said he does not know who or how he was nominated. “Maybe it was a former student,” he suggested.
The Manilow Music Teacher Award winner receives $10,000 in support—$5,000 in cash and $5,000 in “Manilow Bucks” to purchase instruments for their classroom—plus a VIP concert experience. The winner will receive VIP tickets to Barry Manilow’s concert on April 16 at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza and will be presented their award in person during a special backstage ceremony with Manilow.
Thomas said the $5,000 “Manilow Bucks” award to purchase equipment for classrooms is very important and can have a significant impact on students and their families.
“In this day and age, there are so many things going on for students and extra-curricular activities aren’t cheap,” he noted. “Parents may be reluctant to invest in music lessons and renting equipment if they aren’t sure their child will remain interested or excel. The $5,000 can go a long way in helping with instruments.”
Thomas, a former band director, teaches at Crestwood’s middle and secondary campuses.
He is among several music teachers throughout the area who have been nominated for the award. The top vote recipient among the nominated teachers from the Wilkes-Barre area will be selected for the award. Anyone can vote, and supporters are encouraged to vote daily—one vote per unique email address per day.
Voting is open and closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on March 19. The winner will be notified on March 21. The link to vote for Thomas is https://on.barrymanilow.com/trk/mmpwilkesbarre.
A Mountain Top native and Crestwood High School graduate, Thomas has served in both the U.S. Marine Corps and the Texas Air National Guard.
During his first four years in the Marines, Thomas was a musician and librarian with “The Commandant’s Own” Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps.in Washington, D.C. He was the unit’s soprano bugler, soloist, ceremonial bugler, and librarian.
After leaving the Marines in 2001, he took a job in Texas as assistant band director at South Grand Prairie High School in Texas. He also enlisted in the Texas Air National Guard, where he served as principal trumpet player. He re-enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2005, where he was involved in the Marines’ band programs until his retirement in 2015.
After his retirement, Thomas remained in Texas, his wife’s home state, where he returned to South Grand Prairie High School. There, he directed all aspects of the high school band program
Thomas, his wife, and three children moved back to Mountain Top in December 2019 and he was eventually hired by the Crestwood School District.