Musician goes back to his old nursery school for Arts Month gig

Musician goes back to his old nursery school for Arts Month gig

As an impetus for Arts Month in the region, violinist David Siegel paid a visit in early October to the Ruth Washburn Cooperative Nursery School, 914 N. 19th St.
The 24-year-old Siegel is a member of two popular local bands (Grass It Up and Mango fan Django) and executive director of the arts-philanthropic Bea Vradenburg Foundation, but most importantly to the nursery kids, he previously attended Washburn.

Washburn Nursery School students dance as local musician/school alumnus David Siegel plays a lively tune.
Westside Pioneer photo

       He said he appreciated the “creativity aspect” of the school when he was there, and tried to give some of that back. With the kids sitting in front of him in the large space called Minnow's Room - named after school founder Miriam "Minnow" McPhee - he played bars from different songs, then asked the youngsters if they thought the music sounded happy, sad, scary or silly. They answered eagerly and often. He sometimes sat on the floor to be closer to their level. They seemed interested to learn he'd started learning to play the violin at age 5. One child asked him if he had “any tubas.” He ended his roughly 20-minute “set” by launching into some bluegrass, with the kids exuberantly dancing.
       Siegel expressed delight afterward at the “great energy” he felt from playing for the children, noting how even at their young ages they could sense the “emotional connection” of different types of music.
       This is the first year that the Pikes Peak region has gotten involved with National Arts & Humanities Month, which was established in 1993. “The national program was initiated to encourage Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of participation in the arts and humanities,” states the local website for Arts Month, peakradar.com. Area activities are being coordinated by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR). More information is available at peakradar.com.

Westside Pioneer article
(Posted 10/5/14; Community: Arts)

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