The Fort Hays State University Bands will present their final concert of the year, "An American Tapestry" at 8 p.m. Friday in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. The program will feature the FHSU Symphonic Winds under the direction of Gary Brattin and the FHSU Wind Ensemble conducted by Jeff Jordan. The concert will feature a broad spectrum of music representing American composers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

"American music has always encompassed multiple influences," Jordan said, "and some of those will be represented in their purest form, such as the with the Sousa march 'Who's Who in Navy Blue' or Joseph Wilcox Jenkins' 'American Overture for Band,' which show an obvious "Wild-West" tone reminiscent of Aaron Copland.

"However, some selections represent a synthesis of styles such as Frank Ticheli's 'Blue Shades,' which pays homage to the big band era of the 1930s and '40s in a contemporary classical setting. "

Jordan's Wind Ensemble recently performed at the Kansas Music Educator's Convention in Wichita, presenting both a clinic and concert for teachers. Jordan conducted with Brattin serving as narrator and tuba soloist.

Admission to the concert is $6 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens.