Miki Murray

the duet: “Shall we dance?” from The King and I with Dale Churchill on piano, videography by Bill Melaragni and Don Murray

the original: Miki, as Anna, and Clyde Hall, as the King, in a performance of "Shall we dance?"

For her duet, Miki chose “Shall we dance?” which she had performed in a faculty review when she taught in the Mansfield, Connecticut, school system. Pat Tuite, one of Miki’s longtime school musical collaborators, conceived the review, “On Broadway”. The role of Anna was perfect for Miki.

Though I offered to rent a hoop skirt for her and shave my head to do my best Yul Brenner imitation, a simpler presentation of the song was agreed upon … though a
Pike production rarely stays simple.

Thanks to the team who pitched in to make this a success.

the details: Don and Jeffry discuss camera movements for the dance sequence

the team: Dale, Don, Miki, Jeffry, and Bill

“I think I was born to be responsive to music. … it motivates just about everything I do.” — Miki

When Miki agreed to participate in an interview and a duet, I had hoped to get a glimpse of where her spirit came from and what inspired her. As you will learn from her interview, Miki is music.

the conversation: Shall we chat?

If, as a young child, it meant learning the public bus system of Flint, Michigan, to attend church choir rehearsal, Miki did it. If it meant “stealing away” from her childhood home to be near the music of the honky-tonk piano parlor in her neighborhood, she would do it. If, during her summer break from college, it meant being the props mistress at the Flint Melody Tent to be near the music, she did it.

As a schoolteacher, Miki brought music into the classroom. Recess in her homeroom could be dancing to Herb Alpert or do-si-do-ing a partner in a Virginia Reel. She also introduced hundreds of students to the joys of performing. She staged 10 musicals, collaborating primarily with Gwen Duff and Pat Tuite; her 11th musical collaboration was with Shirley Dabora and Ken Holton.

At home, Miki’s ukulele and the family book of songs went on many family camping trips. The nightly singing around the campfire drew many others campers to join in the joy of singing.

Throughout her life, Miki has gone to where the music was and embraced it. She carries this music with her everywhere, and she generously shares the beautiful melody of her spirit with everyone.

There are teachers from my school years that I remember for the knowledge or skill they nurtured in me. And then there are the teachers like Miki Murray, who awakened my spirit and sent me soaring creatively and personally.

the Unity song: “I infuse music every place that I can.”  —Miki

An additional duet ... When Miki and I discussed songs for our duet, we reached a point when two songs remained—“Shall we dance” and a song Miki calls the “Unity song.” After learning the story behind the “Unity song," I felt we had to sing this, too. It is both a perfect example of how Miki infuses music into other activities and the lyrics embody Miki as a teacher, parent, and musician.

Miki’s caveat to adding the additional duet was that I learn to play the ukulele. “With pleasure, “ I replied.

For anyone who skipped watching the conversation above, below is an excerpt from the conversation in which Miki explains the origins of the Unity song. 

the conversation: the origin of the Unity song (interview excerpt)