Rock Hill, SC – After a prolonged closure marked by renovations and unexpected setbacks, Winthrop University is thrilled to announce the grand reopening of its historic Byrnes Auditorium. The iconic building, a cornerstone of the campus since 1939, will once again resonate with the sounds of music and the energy of live performance, starting with a week-long celebration in April.
The revitalized auditorium, a familiar sight to generations of Winthrop students and community members, has undergone extensive improvements. These include a new elevator for enhanced accessibility, expanded restroom facilities, meticulous plaster repair and fresh paint, updated stage rigging, new flooring and curtains, and a host of other accessibility enhancements.
“Our students are excited to be in Byrnes,” said Music Professor Lorrie Crochet, chair of the Department of Music. “The view is incredible from the stage to look out at the audience.” After years of utilizing alternative spaces, the return to Byrnes marks a significant moment for the university’s music program.
To commemorate the reopening, Winthrop University has curated a diverse program of musical events, designed to showcase the auditorium’s versatility and celebrate its rich history. A dedicated website is now live, detailing the week’s events and the building’s storied past.
A Week of Musical Celebration:
- Friday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.: Vince DiMartino with the Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble.
- World-renowned trumpeter Vince DiMartino, a jazz legend, will headline the evening. The performance will also feature Winthrop’s esteemed Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble, offering a dynamic blend of jazz and wind instrument artistry.
- Saturday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.: Winthrop Chorale & Collegiate Choir Concert.
- Under the direction of Jeremy Mims, the Chorale and Collegiate Choir will present a captivating program spanning diverse musical periods, including classical, gospel, jazz, and pop.
- Sunday, April 6, 3 p.m.: Carolinas Wind Orchestra & Alumni Band Concert Featuring the D.B. Johnson Memorial Organ.
- This event will feature the Carolinas Wind Orchestra and the inaugural Alumni Band Concert. Notably, the performance will showcase the restored D.B. Johnson Memorial Organ, an Aeolian-Skinner masterpiece, in Alfred Reed’s “Alleluia! Laudamus Te.” This will be the first chance for the public to hear the fully restored organ.
- Wednesday, April 9, 7:30 p.m.: Winthrop Symphony Orchestra Concert.
- The grand finale of the week will feature the Winthrop Symphony Orchestra, showcasing the talent of the university’s string players under the direction of Professor Elisa Koehler.
A Historic Landmark Reborn:
Byrnes Auditorium, named after former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Secretary of State James F. Byrnes, stands as a testament to the architectural style of the Depression era. Its reopening signifies not only the restoration of a physical space but also the revival of a cultural hub for the university and the surrounding community.
The D.B. Johnson Memorial Organ, a significant feature of the auditorium, holds a place of prominence in American organ history. Designed by G. Donald Harrison, a pioneer of the American classic organ, it remains in its original state, making it a historically significant instrument.
All events are free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested. Attendees are encouraged to check the website for parking information.
“The architecture is beautiful, and the renovations have highlighted the woodworking and painting to make it a bright, inviting place to perform,” Crochet said.
Winthrop University invites everyone to join in the celebration and experience the renewed splendor of Byrnes Auditorium
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
