CANCELATION 

In light of anticipated weather conditions, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 has been canceled. The Evening Celebration will proceed as planned, with the cocktail hour now relocated to the Music Center lobby.

All individuals who intended to participate in the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony are cordially invited to attend the Evening Celebration and the opening concert.

Kindly RSVP at the link in our bio. - Instagram

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Texas Southern University (TSU), one of the nation’s most revered historically Black universities, is striking a celebratory chord with the grand reopening of its beloved Charles P. Rhinehart Music Auditorium. Following a $3.5 million renovation and years of anticipation, the storied performance hall will welcome students, alumni, and the public on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, for a day filled with reflection, music, and cultural pride.

Shuttered since 2018, the newly modernized Rhinehart Auditorium is now equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, new flooring and seating, a completely redesigned stage, and enhanced amenities including a green room for performers, a conference room, and strategically placed televisions in the lobby and backstage—ensuring that every guest or artist can engage with performances from any vantage point.

Originally opened in 1958, the auditorium has long been the soul of TSU’s acclaimed music and drama programs, serving as the heartbeat of student creativity and artistic excellence. It is named in honor of Dr. Charles P. Rhinehart, a pioneering African American educator who joined TSU’s music faculty in 1951 and later made history as the first Black student to enroll at the University of Houston, where he went on to earn his doctoral degree.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon will be led by Vice Admiral James W. Crawford III, President of Texas Southern University, and members of the TSU Board of Regents. The celebration continues into the evening with a 6:00 p.m. concert, showcasing the university’s extraordinary talent including the TSU Choir, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble. Notable alumni and celebrated recording artists Melvin Johnson and Raul Blanco will also take the stage in tribute to TSU’s rich musical legacy.

“This renovation is more than a facelift,” said Dr. Jason Oby, Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Behavioral Sciences. “It’s a recommitment to the legacy of excellence in performance and education that TSU has nurtured for generations.”

The grand reopening of the Charles P. Rhinehart Music Auditorium not only restores a physical space but reawakens a cultural cornerstone for Houston’s Third Ward and the greater TSU family. It’s a harmonious blend of history and progress—a space once again worthy of the powerful voices and brilliant musicians who grace its stage.

EVENT DETAILS
📍 Charles P. Rhinehart Auditorium, TSU
(Ennis and Cleburne, Room 155, Houston, TX 77004)
🅿️ Media Parking: Lot L – 4200 Ennis

⏰ Schedule:
🎀 Ribbon Cutting & Tour: 12:00 PM
🎶 Opening Concert Celebration: 6:00 – 8:00 PM

For more info, visit TSU.edu