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"A WORLD THAT SAYS YES"

Miles' composition in rehearsal with Niles West High School chorus. 

RETURN TOUR TO MOROCCO IN 2010

 

3-DRUM BASED STRING INSTRUMENTS
Mohammed on bass loutar
Miry on gimbre
Miles on banjo
Back stage in Beni Mellal, Morocco

MUSICAL DIPLOMACY TOUR TO MOROCCO A GRAND SUCCESS

For 8 whirlwind days, we travelled the country. We brought our own blend of original works and American music with banjo, guitar, drums and vocal harmonies. Once in Morocco we started meeting and performing with Moroccan musicians. We listened, we played, we spoke through interpreters, and we found a common ground. We took our common ground out to the Moroccan public--who saw this example of shared music & values, and a different view of America.
 
To say it was an honor, only hints at the privileges that were extended to us. We were welcomed and appreciated as we shared our selections of American music. But the breathtaking part for us was the collaboration. We had scheduled exchanges and rehearsals with Moroccan musicians who taught us their music and encouraged us to perform it with them. These were ancient musical traditions, centuries old. We thought, before being invited to return, that his was once-in-lifetime opportunity. But there will certainly be more.
 
OPENING PRESS RELEASE
FINAL REPORT 
 
 

"TABILLA" INSTRUCTION

Abdelilah el Miry on the Moroccan instrument called gimbre shows Michael Miles on banjo how to play the Berber melody known as "Tabilla."

"TABILLA" PERFORMED IN CONCERT

"Tabilla" is performed at the Mohammed VI theatre, featuring Abdellah Arid on bowed rubab, Abdelilah el Miry on gimbre, Michael Miles on banjo, and M'hammed Damou on louthar. 

"BINT SHALABIA" INSTRUCTION

The Syrian melody, "Bint Shalabia" is taught to Michael Miles by Nasser Hourari on oud and Abdelilah el Miry on violin. 



 
 

'BINT SHALABIA" PERFORMED IN CONCERT

"Bint Shalabia" is performed at US Counsel General residence featuring Haj Younes on oud, Abdelilah el Miry on violin, and Michael Miles on banjo. 



 

"THE CUCKOO" IN BENI MELLAL

Michael Miles & Tony Dale perform "The Cuckoo" (Jack of Diamonds) in Morocco.



 

"MAYBE BABY" IN MOROCCO

Michael Miles, Tony Dale, & Abdelilah el Miry play Buddy Holly's hit in Morocco.

'SOLDIER'S JOY"

Abdelilah el Miry on gimbre & Michael Miles on banjo play "Soldier's Joy." 

ARABIC & ENGLISH GREETING IN MARAKESH

Michael Miles and Abdelkrim Raddadi greet the crowd in Marakesh.  This audience includes US Ambassador Samuel Kaplan. 

ABDELKRIM RADADDI TELLS OUR STORY

U.S. State Dept Cultural Specialist, Abdelkrim Radaddi tells the story of our 2010 tour through Morocco.



 

BENI MELLAL SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

Michael Miles, Abdelilah el Miry and Tony Dale perform Miles composition "All My Friends Are Here" in English and Arabic.



 

AMERICAN & MOROCCAN STUDENTS

Students from the Murphy School in Chicago sing for the new friends at the Riad School in Casablanca. 

"A WORLD THAT SAYS YES" at Niles West

On March 24, 2010 this song of mine will be sung by 250 high students at a grand choral concert at Niles West High School.   It's a song of hope.  Click here to hear the song, as sung by the Barrington Children's Choir.

2nd Grade Chicago Students Singing J.S. Bach

This recording features a group of 2nd grade students from the Murphy School in Chicago singing their own words to JS Bach's "Sleepers Awake."  http://www.milesmusic.org/music/06_Murphy-Bach_tune_copy.mp3

Live performance of "Midnight Rider"

Live performance of "Jack of Diamonds"

10,000 Kids in CA Attend "The Magic Banjo"

On a recent tour to CA, I had the good fortune to present "The Magic Banjo (for children)" to over 10,000 students in a series of 33 assemblies in and around Ventura County. The reception I received was warm and delightful. Most of the students had never heard a banjo played live before.

Dirty Linen Magazine Feature Article

There is a lengthy feature article about the breadth and depth of my work. This is a fine publication that supports acoustic music. Be sure to visit http://www.dirtylinen.com/linen/121/121miles.html

The Hajuj from Morocco

Three years after my tour through Morocco, I received a hajuj. This drum based string instrument, played like a banjo, is the lead instrument in the Gnawa music of the Berber culture of Morocco. Look for it in future Magic Banjo shows.

Bush Responds to “Send A Song To The President”

Miles surveyed 1500 3rd grade students who all answered the question, "What would you do to make the world a better place if you were the president of the Uniited States?" All of their answers were sent to the president, and some of the answers were put into a song. The students spoke, and the president responded with a generic postcard thanking them for their prayers. President Clinton sent a personal note. A new selection of student ideas from over 3000 additional 3rd graders from Chicago will be sent out in summer 2007. Watch this site for responses. Click here to hear the song.