FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University and Hays City Summer Band will perform their last summer concert on the Historic Fort Hays lawn, located off the U.S. 183 bypass, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 4.

“We always perform the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ ‘America the Beautiful’ and on at least one concert, John Philip Sousa’s ‘Stars and Stripes Forever,'” said Dr. Jeff Jordan, director of bands at FHSU. “Additionally, we are playing one piece that involves a short poem reading. This reading will be done by Nicole Feyerherm, a freshman at Fort Hays State University this fall.”

After the concert, the Wild West Fest fireworks display will be visible from the Historic Fort Hays lawn at 10 p.m. Even though the site will be closed for the holiday, viewers are allowed to stay and watch.

“We plan to feature two soloists at this concert: Brad Dawson, professor of trumpet and jazz studies at FHSU, and Matt Rome, (Hays), a senior clarinetist and music education major,” said Jordan. “We will also feature three student conductors: Kevin Pham, (Hays), Ashley McKinley, (Wichita), and Renee Trevino, all senior music education majors.”

This year the band consists of 37 members and has already performed at the FHSU Quad, Ellis Jr. High and in WaKeeney.