Award-winning WVU saxophonist returns home to Fairmont for special performance
Nov. 14—FAIRMONT — On Tuesday evening, a familiar face will return to Fairmont for a special performance at Central United Methodist Church.
Marion County native Phillip "Nicky" Keefover studies alto saxophone performance at West Virginia University, but years ago he was just beginning his musical career in his hometown of Fairmont. Many may remember Keefover for being recognized by the Fairmont Arts and Humanities Commission in 2021 for his outstanding achievements during high school.
Since then, Keefover has gone on to win several awards and competitions, including the River City Symphony Young Artists Competition and the West Virginia Symphony's Vaughan Fellowship Competition.
As a performance art student, Keefover said he is often encouraged to venture beyond the WVU campus and host public performances in the local community. That is what led him to return to Fairmont and provide a free performance to residents of his hometown at a local church.
"It's really nice, both because it gives me performance experience and it also exposes people who wouldn't necessarily come in contact with classical saxophone in their daily lives to a little more of it," Keefover said. "The instrument is sort of a lesser known medium, but there's a lot of great music for it."
Keefover's performance will feature four pieces, one of which is a concerto reduction for saxophone and piano. Another piece, entitled "Rhapsody," is a more recent piece that "gives the composer free rein," which allows for an added level of performance creativity.
Keefover said he is most excited to play a piece with a fellow member of a quartet he previously performed in. The duo will include a bass clarinet and saxophone duet by composer Ian Deterling for the first time in West Virginia.
At WVU, Keefover studies under Jeffrey Siegfried, assistant professor of saxophone. Siegfried said he is thrilled to see his student travel beyond WVU's campus for a performance, and to know that Keefover is sharing his talent with others.
"Nicky Keefover is a phenomenal young saxophonist. I am so proud of all the work that he has done preparing for this recital," Siegfried said. "It is one fantastic artistic achievement among many. We will see great things from Nicky."
Siegfried said Keefover has a bright future ahead of him in the field of music, and that community members should take the opportunity to see him at the precipice of his career.
"This recital is a great opportunity for folks to see the amazing things that Nicky is up to at the undergraduate stage of his journey," Siegfried said.
For Keefover, Tuesday's performance is an exciting opportunity to share his music with his community and to spare his family a long drive to one of his performances.
"It's always nice to be back home. A lot of times when I'm performing, I'm performing hours or states away," he said. "My family usually doesn't get to attend, but it's great to be back in Fairmont where they can drive 15 minutes down the road to come watch."
Individuals interested in attending Keefover's performance can visit the Central United Methodist Church, located at 301 Fairmont Ave., on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. There is no entry fee to attend, and advance registration for the performance is not required.
Reach Jack Walker by email at jwalker@timeswv.com.
