Here are things to know about Malcolm Miller's behavior in 2018.
No matter what Rick says, no matter what the signs posted outside the bookstore in Chartres Cathedral say, no matter what anyone who works for the cathedral organization (diocese, &c.) says, there is no ready way to predict his "tours" or "lectures." We attended one in 2006, and so much enjoyed it that we wanted to attend another one. We stayed 3 days/nights in the hope of accomplishing it. We did accomplish a tour with Anne-Marie Woods (worthwhile, but that's not the topic here), and on our second unsuccessful attempt, since we had arrived at 1201 on the day of our first unsuccessful attempt, we arrived at 1140. By 1205 we two and two Canadians and an eavesdropper were discussing the Canadians' dissatisfaction with having traveled from Paris this morning for his tour, canceled without notice. Just then, Malcolm Miller walked by. During the ensuing discussion, he mentioned his age, and said, « Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I just don't feel like doing one. » Yet, yesterday afternoon we saw him giving a tour to 107 [sic] choristers.
A 2018 guide to his tours ought to say:
1. Don't count on anything, but you might be lucky.
2. If you are making a special trip to hear him speak, there is a strong likelihood you will be disappointed. Make a well thought out alternate plan in case he does not have a tour / lecture when you expect it.
3. If it's really important to you, use social media or other methods you prefer to assemble 20 or 30 or better 50 people and arrange a "private" lecture / tour at an odd time, such as 1330 or 1530, and make the arrangements long in advance by email. Consider claiming your group could have some connection to the cathedral: "impromptu lovers of stained glass," "medieval sculpture club," "North American sacred kazoo ensemble."
Malcolm Miller says he did not train Anne-Marie Woods, and that she works for the cathedral organization. She gives very good tours, so I'm not sure why this matters. Perhaps his Rickness's use of the word protegé in his book(s) has a different meaning for Rick, and Mr. Miller wants to set the record straight (my speculation, that things be clear). Also, some of the chaos surrounding Malcolm Miller's day to day relationship with the cathedral and its personnel stem from the fact that it doesn't exist. He's famous, he's there, but it's not official.
A bit of off topic editorializing follows ••••• Remember, your best bet if you are asking a French person any question which might provoke him or her to an exertion of misapplied perceived authority is to make a plea for "an exceptional case," or "un cas ou le cas exceptionel." At times it can seem France as a country is an exertion of misapplied perceived authority, but the secret to know is they love to break the rules, but only when a justification, however far-fetched, can be offered.