Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
LAYTON — Jonathan Nish, who works as a criminal defense lawyer during the day, says being director of a community symphony gives him a respite from the darkness.
For director Jonathan Nish, who works as a criminal defense lawyer during the day, the Skyward Symphony provides a respite from the darkness.
"I don't think I could do what I do every day without this," he said before the Skyward Symphony played its free summer concert at Layton Commons Park Wednesday. "It's how I stay healthy."
The group of over 70 musicians played the music of John Williams, with pieces from "Jurassic Park," "Harry Potter," "Indiana Jones," "Star Wars" and more. The amphitheater seats were completely full, with spectators overflowing on the lawn behind to hear the group play.
Nish said he's been practicing law for 11 years, specializing in criminal defense and the death penalty. "I remember how horrible the first five years were," he said, before the inception of the symphony in 2018.
Recently he represented Kane Thomas Fairbank, a man who pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of two women in Bountiful's Mueller Park. During the sentencing, Davis County attorney Richard Larsen called Fairbank, "without question, the scariest defendant I have ever encountered, based on his willingness and desire to kill."
"The days can get very, very dark for me," Nish said. "This is my light. This is where I come to let all that go. This is my second family."
That sentiment is true for many of the volunteers who take part in the weekly rehearsals and shows, which are always free to the public, according to Brittney Kinghorn Hanson, president of the group.
"This place is a safe place for all the members of our symphony," Hanson said. "We have a lot of people from various backgrounds, and we invite everyone to bring the authentic self here, be ourselves."
The founders of the orchestra were brought together in March 2018, when musicians were needed to help a young single adult stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints produce Rob Gardner's oratorio "Lamb of God." The Skyward Symphony spun out of that production.
The first concert it played was in the Edward Kenley Centennial Amphitheater, the same one it played at Wednesday night. "The group was much smaller at the time," Nish said. "We barely fit 40 on the stage. Now there's over 70." Members of the group range in age from Nish's 13-year-old daughter McKenzie on cello, to players in their late 60s, and come from all different backgrounds. But there's a slight shortage of interest from the younger generations.
"We've noticed amongst us — it's not necessarily a dying thing — but it's not ... growing like it should. Each generation seems to get a little bit smaller," Nish said. He hopes the exposure to this music will help encourage kids to pick up an instrument.
Sarah Pehrson, concertmaster of the group, said, "That's how I started music, because my parents are musicians. I grew up going to their concerts." Her oldest sister and parents are in the symphony, and "it's just one of those things that connects our family," she said.
The symphony will be playing a Christmas concert, inviting young musicians to play alongside them, and will be doing a Disney-themed concert at Abravanel Hall in the spring.
"We don't charge," said Nish. "We believe that orchestral music belongs to the community and is essential to the community."
