James C. McKeever, Sr.
Obituary
Professor, Musician, Veteran
James C. McKeever died Friday, June 13, 2008. He was 89. Born in Easton, PA he
was a long time resident of Princeton, NJ prior to moving to Monroe Township,
NJ. Marion, his beloved wife of 60 years, predeceased him in 2002.
After Pearl Harbor he enlisted into the US Army Air Force, was assigned to the
Aerial Photographic Intelligence Unit of the 5th Air Force in Australia and
served with it in New Guinea and the Philippines.
As an undergraduate at Westminster Choir College (now a College of Rider
University) in Princeton, NJ he was the Bass soloist of the Symphonic Choir and
Class President. Upon graduating in 1948 he began a nearly 60 year musical
career of directing, teaching, training and performance.
Called to the First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield, NJ in 1948, he served as
the Minister of Music and developed a program which included 9 choirs of over
450 adults and children. While there he was instrumental in the creation of a
community supported music performance series that featured leading international
soloists and instrumentalists.
In 1961 he returned to Westminster as a Professor of Voice and was appointed
head of the Department. He also began his 11 year service as Director of Music
at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City.
Among the many highlights he experienced in New York was having his choir sing
with Duke Ellington and his orchestra in the East Coast premiere of Ellington’s
concert of sacred music entitled “In the Beginning God”. He also conducted the
Massed Choirs of New York City in the Singer Bowl at the New York World’s Fair.
During this time, he continued his vocal studies with Maestro Samuel Margolis.
At Westminster he served variously as Director of Alumni, and Church Relations
and Placement; Director of Development and Alumni Affairs; and was appointed
Assistant to the President in 1975 with the responsibility of coordinating the
college’s 50th Anniversary. He directed the Summer Vocal Camp held on campus for
several years. Officially retired in 1983 as Professor Emeritus, he continued to
teach voice privately. He was given Westminster’s Alumni Merit Award in 1970 and
the Alumni Distinguished Service Award this past May.
Also during his career he was a Visiting Lecturer of Music at Princeton
Theological Seminary, designated Music Director Emeritus at the Ewing
Presbyterian Church, Ewing, NJ and most recently served as the Chorus Director
at the Community Church of Rossmor, Monroe Township, NJ. He led vocal workshops
and seminars around the country.
A Bass-baritone, he was a soloist for performances of Mendelssohn’s Elijah,
Bach’s Mass in B Minor and The St. John Passion, Verdi’s Requiem, Handel’s
Messiah and Gounod’s Messe Solennelle among others. On a lighter note he sang
several roles in Warren Martin’s “The True Story of Cinderella” including The
Royal Herald and the King.
A Rotarian since 1951, he was Past President of the Princeton Club and received
the Paul Harris Award. He held memberships in the Nassau Club and The Old Guard
of Princeton.
He is survived by his children James C. McKeever, Jr. and his wife Lesley of
Fairfax, VA, John D. McKeever and his wife Betsy of Denville, NJ and Elizabeth
McKeever Lewis and her husband Jeff of Bethesda, MD along with 11 grandchildren
and one great grandchild all of whom he was very proud and loved dearly.
The funeral will be private. A Memorial service is planned for August 17th at
The Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton, NJ. In lieu of flowers contributions
can be made to Westminster Choir College, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540
for ‘The Endowment for the Westminster Archives/ the Preservation of its
History’ in Memory of James C. McKeever, Professor Emeritus.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home Princeton
.