Festivities feature first for Fawson family

The Bowlus Fine Arts Center auditorium will come alive with music Saturday night during the Alumni Variety Show.
A unique performance will grace the stage during the festivities; the Fawson family — all nine members — will play together for the first time.
Iolans Nathan and Robyn and their five children: Alexa, 19, Isaiah, 16, Elijah, 12, Keira, 8, and Mosiah, 4, will perform alongside Nathan’s parents, Norman and Jerilyn.
Nathan’s father, Norman, helped found the Southwest Symphony Orchestra in St. George, Utah.
“My father got me interested in music at a young age,” Nathan said. “I recall I was about 4 or 5 and asked if I, too, could play the violin.”
While Nathan’s older siblings already played, he was told to wait until he was older.
But as he grew older, he lost interest and picked up a basketball instead.
The passion for music returned, thanks to some other family influence.
Nathan’s sister, Rebecca, went to college for music performance and education. She asked Nathan and Robyn if she could teach Alexa violin when she turned 4.
The four children at home take lessons in Ottawa. Keira, in turn, is teaching her father.
“We wanted all of the children to be involved in music,” Robyn said. “They all started at 4.”
On Saturday, Nathan will accompany the children on piano and Robyn will play the harp. Norman will play the viola and Jerilyn the violin.
Each Fawson child likes the violin for different reasons.
“It’s just fun and enjoyable,” Elijah said.
Keira agreed with her brother.
“I prefer to practice instead of perform,” she said.
She took second place at the Allen County Fair talent show this summer. Isaiah took first.
“I enjoy performing,” Isaiah said. “It can be nerve wracking but it’s worth it.”
Without hesitation, Mosiah says his favorite part is the D-string. He has had only three lessons so far.
“Music teaches us lots of life lessons and we see the fruits of their labor,” Robyn said.
The children have never all played together before, providing Saturday’s unique experience.
Both Nathan and Robyn grew up in St. George. They previously lived in Iola before moving to Branson, Mo., before returning to Iola in 2013.
Nathan is the associate executive director of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center. Robyn is on the Bowlus commission. Alexa is living in St. George to attend St. Dixie University on a music scholarship.