Closed since 2018, Byrnes held its grand reopening concerts April 4-6 and April 9 – opening a new chapter in the auditorium’s rich history.
After six years of repairs and refurbishment, Winthrop University’s Byrnes Auditorium officially reopened to the public this past week. To celebrate, the Winthrop College of Visual and Performing Arts’ Department of Music curated multiple musical performances throughout the first and second week of April.
Byrnes Auditorium originally closed in 2018 for a roof replacement project. However, during the renovation, a fire broke out and caused subsequent damage to the auditorium that led it to be closed for longer than expected.
Also known as simply “Byrnes,” the auditorium was named after James F. Byrnes, former U.S Secretary of State and South Carolina governor, who allocated funding that led to the construction of three campus buildings: Byrnes Auditorium, Thurmond Building and the Macfeat Nursery School – a building now known simply as Macfeat House.
Starting off the series was the Department of Music’s Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble’s Grand Re-opening Concert on Friday, April 4, as it was the first official public Department of Music performance. These groups both featured a performance by Vince DiMartino, an acclaimed trumpet player well known for his jazz performances.
The Wind Symphony is considered to consist “of 35-45 of the finest wind and percussion players at Winthrop” and the Jazz Ensemble to consist “of trumpets, trombones, saxophones and a rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums).”
Following the Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble, the Winthrop Choirs hosted a performance the evening of the following Saturday, April 5. The performance involved pieces by the Winthrop Chorale, the Winthrop Chamber Choir, the Winthrop Collegiate Choir and from the Winthrop Alumnae Choir.
The Department of Music defines “The Chorale” as “the principal choir among the ensembles in the Department of Music, consisting of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, more than half of whom are music majors and minors. It is one of the oldest student organizations in Winthrop’s history.” The Department also defines “The Collegiate Choir” as “open to all interested students and its repertoire is taken from all periods of musical history.”
Inside the Byrnes Auditorium also lives the David Bancroft Memorial Organ, which is described on the Winthrop Website as “an Æolian-Skinner valued today at $1,800,000 and containing more than 5,000 pipes in 78 ranks. It is considered one of the largest and finest instruments in the South.” This instrument was featured multiple times throughout the choral performances, as the organ was one of big renovations during Byrnes’ six year fix-up.
The official re-opening of the Byrnes Auditorium has been greatly anticipated by staff and students alike. Around two graduating classes have passed through their time on campus without even getting the opportunity to witness or participate in a performance in the space.
“To be able to come back to the space, after only [having had] one concert, feels like music is where it’s supposed to be again and seeing all of the forces come together and to be able to have all these concerts is very moving,” Dr. Jeremy Mims, the Associate Professor of Music and Winthrop’s Director of Choirs, said when asked about what the official re-opening of Byrnes means to him.
Following the choral performances, the Byrnes Auditorium hosted even more music the following Sunday, April 6. That night, the Carolinas Wind Orchestra and Winthrop Alumni Band took the stage under the direction of Dr. Lorrie Crochet, who is the Director of the Department of Music, a Professor of Music, and the Director of Bands.
The Carolinas Wind Orchestra “is an internationally recognized group dedicated to the performance of advanced wind literature” according to the Winthrop Department of Music’s event website. The group was officially established in 1996 and was originally named the “Olde English Wind Ensemble.”
This performance also marked the first public performance of the Winthrop Alumni Band, with both groups also featuring the David Bancroft Memorial Organ.
To close off the re-opening celebration series, the Winthrop Symphony Orchestra, also known as WSO, made their debut on Wednesday, April 9 in Byrnes Auditorium. This performance also consisted of the debut of “Mother’s Petunias” which was composed by Winthrop graduate Madison Bush (’22). This performance also featured a solo from Winthrop Sophomore and “WSO Concertmaster” Cece Trower.
The official re-opening of Byrnes Auditorium marks a “coming home” moment for not only Winthrop’s Department of Music, but for Winthrop students and the Rock Hill community, music or other. Now, music once again has a stable and official home on campus in a building freshly renovated to support it.
The Byrnes Auditorium will continue to host music events open to the public as the semester continues. Check out winthrop.edu for cultural events.
