Malcolm Miles

Malcolm Miles studied music at Leeds College of Music and at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the 1980s. Both courses allowed him to develop a broad base of skills, particularly in jazz performance and composition.

It was during his year the Guildhall School that Malcolm started to take an interest in education. In 1989 he won the composition prize for the BBC Rehearsal Band competition with his big band work 'Know Where, Know How'.

Since that time he has had a variety of arrangements, compositions, pieces and educational material published by Chesters, Stainer & Bell, ABRSM Publishing and Camden Music. Some of these works can be found in the ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall exam syllabuses.

Malcolm also works freelance as a saxophonist where he pursues his passion for improvisation both in jazz and in the field of electroacoustic music. His duo 'Referential Treatment', for example, creates a unique sound by combining computer-based technology (live sampling and sound processing) with free improvisation on the saxophone.

Malcolm is notably experienced in the field of jazz education having taught at all levels (from primary school to conservatoire). He teaches regularly on summer schools, including the Guildhall Summer School, and currently has lecturing posts at the Guildhall School and Colchester Institute. The work is varied and includes teaching improvisation, musicianship skills, teaching skills, arranging and directing ensembles.

Malcolm is frequently invited to examine students at music conservatoires (Trinity, RCM and Birmingham) and has contributed to syllabus development, both in higher education, and for graded music exams.