Cudahy High School band teacher wins $10,000 in Barry Manilow contest

CUDAHY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Alex St. Louis has always known he'd spend his life surrounded by instruments.

“Music has changed my life for the better, and through music it is teaching life lessons.  Just to become a better human, to do better things in the world, and be the change you’d like to see," said St. Louis.

The band teacher at Cudahy High School returned to his local high school to teach a new generation of musicians. 

“Students need this. For some students, it’s an escape from the reality outside these walls," said St. Louis. 

Playing an instrument isn't easy or cheap. 

“A student model bassoon is about $7,000," said St. Louis.

You may know him for his songs "Copacabana" or "Could It Be Magic," but American singer Barry Manilow is on a mission to help out. 

“Tomorrow, it’ll really hit me that it's actually happened," said St. Louis. 

For every stop on his farewell tour, Manilow is giving the Manilow Music Project Award to a music teacher selected by students in the area. The teacher will win $5,000 for themselves and $5,000 for their school, as well as tickets to Manilow's show. St. Louis will be presented the award by Manilow Saturday night. 

“I’m very honored that I’ve received this award," said St. Louis. 

St. Louis says this money will help him and provide instruments for students. 

“Music allows us to connect to so many different backgrounds of people that you may not be able to connect with on a social level, and music brings us together and unites us as one," said St. Louis.

It's an honor he says he never expected. 

“I get chills thinking about it," said St. Louis.