Smiles and cheers greeted a truck full of musical instruments that arrived at a Long Island high school Tuesday.
The instruments had been donated to Uniondale High School under a program orchestrated by singer and Brooklyn native Barry Manilow.
"It's like Christmas," said student Amari Dechinew as he opened a case holding a cello.
"It was just one of the greatest feelings I ever had in my life."
Manilow's Music Project collected the instruments at Nassau Coliseum last week, giving music lovers two tickets to the singer's Friday night show in exchange for every instrument donated.
In all, 80 instruments were collected and a line of music students was waiting for them, everything from guitars to drums and even a mandolin.
Skyelynn Francois, saving to buy her own flute, clutched a donated one, and called it a great honor.
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"I have never held a gold flute before," she explained.
All students in the Uniondale school district's expanding music program will get access to the instruments.
Some high school jazz band members said they are sorely needed in a district that doesn't always have the funds to replace aging horns and strings.
"Some of them are old. Some need to be fixed," said student Darius Chatman.
"We really need instruments," added Destiny Robinson.
The donation, district officials said, will not only give more students access to instruments; it gives the students a feeling someone cares about their music.
"It's a gift," said Skyelynn Francois.
"It just helps us sound better," added Amari Dechinew. "It's an inspiration."
