CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For Walter Suggs, any day teaching music is just another day living the dream.

The Philip O’Berry music teacher has been holding the conductor’s baton at the school for 19 years and has plenty of awards to show for it.

What You Need To Know

  •  Walter Suggs has taught music at Philip O'Berry Academy for 19 years

  •  The school district nominated him for the Barry Manilow Music Award

  •  The award is given by Barry Manilow to one music teacher in each city that his tour stops

  • Through the award, Suggs will receive $5,000 toward his band program and a cash prize of $5,000 for himself

But for Suggs, it’s not about winning trophies. The joy of the job comes from engrossing his students in the music.

“I think for the students to be able to get away and really not think about some of the things, hard things, that they go through and kind of sit down and be creative, that that means a lot,” Suggs said.

It's a difficult mission sometimes, especially with the price of instruments.

It's why Suggs was elated when he learned he won $5,000 for his band through the Barry Manilow Music Program.

The organization picks a band teacher in every city stop on Manilow’s tour to help support their band program. They also award the teacher a $5,000 cash prize for themselves.

“I thank Mr. Manilow for doing this because it's something that's needed in a lot of schools,” Suggs said. “You know, being able to have a little money to go get things that they need.

Walter Suggs will be presented with the Manilow Music Award Saturday night at the Barry Manilow concert at the Spectrum Center.