Lee University’s School of Music will present Dr. Nathan Keedy, instructor of saxophone, in a faculty recital on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. The performance will also feature Amy Wu, piano, and Dr. Allison Adams, professor of saxophone at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). The concert will take place in Squires Recital Hall, located in the Humanities Building on Lee’s campus.   
    
“The program highlights the many expressive qualities of the saxophone, which range from quiet, meditative contemplation to full-throated shouts of joy and anguish,” said Keedy.   
  
The concert will feature mostly 21st-century pieces, including “Elegie et Rondeau” by Karel Husa, “Tone Studies” by David Maslanka, “Salleras Variation” by Steven Banks, “Twin Music” by Jorge Variego, “INTERWOVEN” by Devanii, and “Fuzzy Bird Sonata” by Takashi Yoshimatsu.  
  
According to Keedy, all of the pieces on the program have strong emotional themes.  
  
“The one that resonates most deeply with me at this time is the ‘Tone Studies,’” said Keedy. Composer David Maslanka wrote about the work: “A set of six pieces that are mostly quiet, slow, and contemplative, ‘Tone Studies’ is a meditative exploration of different qualities of sound, and careful listening and response between the saxophonist and pianist. I chose it [the title] because each movement offers a large number of choices about quality of sound, choices that will continue to unfold over time.”  
   
Keedy will be joined by Adams during “INTERWOVEN” and “Twin Music.”  
  
In addition to teaching at Lee, Keedy is a member of the Carson-Newman University faculty and has held teaching positions at UTK and Walters State Community College.  
  
In addition to his teaching experience, Keedy is an active performer. He has performed recitals throughout the United States, including appearances with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville Wind Symphony, and frequent performances with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He has premiered new works for saxophone at the World Saxophone Congress and the Navy Band Saxophone Symposium. 
  
Keedy holds a Doctor of Arts in saxophone performance and pedagogy and a Master of Music in saxophone performance from the University of Northern Colorado, as well as a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Montana.  
 
The recital is free, non-ticketed, and open to the public.    
  
For more information about Keedy, visit cn.edu/people/nathan-keedy/.  
  
For more information about this recital or other events, email the School of Music at [email protected] or call (423) 614-8240.