Guitar Curriculum & Common Core Standards

Songs tell the stories of literally every country on Earth. Common Core standards that address reading comprehension as well as concepts rooted in social studies can be found in the hearts of these songs. This class will expand your guitar skills as a player and instructor, and show you innovative ways to include Common Core standards that will enhance the musical experience for you and your students. Throughout the course, participants will split into beginner and intermediate level groups to address appropriate guitar instruction.

Instructor: Michael Miles

Michael J. Miles has taught guitar at Villanova University and VanderCook College of Music for 20 years. He is an author for Mel Bay Publications and Publications International. He has served as President of The Folk Alliance (1990-1993) and Program Director at the Old Town School of Folk Music (1984-1998) where his instructional programming brought the school international acclaim. A renowned banjo player with five highly acclaimed CD's, his one man show, “From Senegal To Seeger: Stories of the American Banjo, as well as his concert performances have been featured Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institution, Ravinia Festival among others. Multi-instrumentalist, writer & composer Miles has earned critical acclaim and professional collaborations with Bela Fleck, Pete Seeger, and the Philadelphia Orchestra’s dePasquale String Quartet. Theatrical works created by Miles include Chicago Rhythm & Rhymes; America 1941, How Africa Met Ireland In American Song, The Magic Banjo, America 1968, Songs of the Earth, & Transcontinental, America 1957 and the Tin Pan Alley Times. After many years as a self taught musician, Miles earned an MA Music degree from Northeastern IL University.