Assemblies

With driving guitar, sparkling banjo, a warm voice, and an engaging manner, Miles has delighted student audiences for years with his compelling mix of musicianship and history. 

Grade Level Presentations and Groupings

Miles prefers to work in selected age groupings, as listed below.  But as all school circumstances vary, he can work in combinations as is needed. 

• Grades K-2
• Grades 3-5
• Grades 6-8
• Grades 9-12

“Rhythm and Roots of America”

—Recommended for grades K-2

Get up and move, and make your own music. This assembly makes it clear that everyone is a music-maker, and gives students the opportunity to make their own.  There’s a special emphasis on American music and participatory music making.

“American Songbag”

—Recommended for older grade groupings as listed.

In 1927, Carl Sandburg published a collection of songs and described it this way: “The American Songbag is a ragbag of strips, stripes, and streaks of color from nearly all ends of the earth…it comes from the hearts and voices of thousands of men and women. They made new songs, they changed old songs, and they carried songs from place to place.”

Drawing on Sandburg’s premise that “songs tell our story” Miles has created a decade by decade musical portrait of the 20th century You'll hear some of America's greatest - Billie Holliday, Woody Guthrie, Cole Porter, Buddy Holly, George Gershwin, James Taylor and others. In addition to music, there is fiery politics and rich literature and amusing popular culture woven into the story. Featuring guitar, banjo, and vocals.

“American Songbag” Menu

“The American Songbag” generally covers the years from 1900-1975, but Miles will gladly customize a performance with more attention paid to a particular topic, era or decade. Here are a few examples:

• Vietnam Era
• 1950’s and 60’s
• Songs of Protest and Struggle
• Civil Rights
• Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger
• American Singer-Songwriters
• Great American Composers
• 1930’s America
• Blues and Jazz America
• Great American Musicals

Solo, Duet, Trio formats

Miles frequently works alone, but with additional funding, a second or third person can be added to the cast to add more energy and more musical possibilities.

More Assembly Choices

“The Magic Banjo for Students” 

This is an adaptation of Miles' renowned one man show where students see the the roots of this amazing instrument.

“Send A Song To The President”

Students answer the question, “If you were the president of the United States, what would you do to make the world a better place.” Then students create a recording with Miles to send their ideas and voices to Washington DC. This requires some advance planning and exchanges between Miles and participating classes. If you’re interested in this one, please contact us. In 2005 Miles sent the ideas of 1500 3rd graders to President Bush, and received an immediate response. 

Assembly Technical Requirements

To do an assembly in a school setting, Miles needs a professional PA system equipped with two high quality microphones, two DI lines, and stage monitors. Contracting assemblies requires information about sound systems so that performances can run successfully. If the school does not have a sound system, arrangements can be made to provide one.