Posted on Monday, May 19, 2025
(l to r) Regent Ben Proler, TSU Foundation Board Chairman Dr. Frazier Wilson, Board of Regents Chairman Brandon L. Simmons, TSU President James W. Crawford III, Provost and Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Carl B. Goodman, and Interim Chief Operating Officer Melanie Jackson
Texas Southern University (TSU) celebrated the grand reopening of the historic Charles P. Rhinehart Music Auditorium after a $3.5 million renovation. Closed since 2016, the building reopened with a concert that put TSU’s musical legacy on full display featuring performances by alumni recording artists Melvin Johnson and Raul Blanco.
The renovation included new flooring and powered seating, a new stage, 21st century audio-visual equipment, a green room for performers, a conference room, and televisions in the lobby and backstage areas for performers and patrons to watch shows from wherever they are located in the building.
“As a longtime faculty member with 29 years of service to Texas Southern University, it brings me immense joy to see the Rhinehart Auditorium returned to its rightful place as the heart of our musical and cultural life,” said Dr. Jason Oby, Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences. “I have taught voice and directed countless performances in this unique hall—from Opera Workshop productions and faculty recitals to student showcases—and there is simply nothing like it in the entire city. Its warm, natural acoustic and intimate size of around 300 seats make it an ideal venue for a wide range of artistic expression. The addition of modern technology, such as streaming capabilities, only enhances its versatility and reach. Its restoration is more than a renovation—it’s a renewal of spirit for our department and our entire university community.”
The buliding was originally built as a synagogue used by Congregation Adath Emeth in the 1940s. Texas Southern purchased the building and converted it into a music auditorium in 1958. It was central to the growth of the university’s music department, serving as the primary space for auditions, rehearsals and performances. It was later named after prolific pianist and professor, Dr. Charles P. Rhinehart, who was a member of the university’s faculty from 1951 until his passing in 1978.
"The reopening of the newly renovated Charles P. Rhinehart Theater marks more than the return of a beloved cultural space — it signals our commitment to preserving the rich legacy of the arts at Texas Southern University,” said Charlie W. Coleman III, Associate Vice President for Development & Alumni Engagement. “We will continue to change the landscape of TSU by investing in spaces that inspire creativity, celebrate excellence, and elevate the voices of both our students and alumni."
The opening concert also featured performances by the TSU Choir, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble, as well as an opera workshop that paid tribute to longtime TSU vocal professor Bernadine Oliphint.
In addition to his legacy at Texas Southern that earned a building in his name, while training an entire generation of musicians at TSU, Charles P. Rhinehart gained the distinction of becoming the first African American student to enroll at the University of Houston in 1962. There, he earned his doctoral degree.
Category: Alumni, News Media, Students, Faculty & Staff