On Monday, October 28, a packed audience witnessed the grand reopening of the MSU Auditorium’s historic Fairchild Theatre. Concertgoers were treated to the timeless tunes of George Gershwin with beautifully arranged selections from the folk opera Porgy and Bess, and the ever-popular Rhapsody in Blue. The Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series concert, ’S Wonderful, moved audiences to their feet as they were entertained by more than a dozen faculty artists.

The renovation of Fairchild Theatre marks a transformational era for performance at the MSU College of Music. Students, faculty, visiting artists, and patrons alike now have the luxury and benefit of experiencing performance in a state-of-the-art, acoustically designed venue.

Click here to view a photo gallery of the Fairchild Theatre.

Click here to read about more West Circle Series concerts coming to Fairchild.

“We see this not just as a renovation but as a reinvention,” says James Forger, dean of the College of Music. “The scope of the project takes into consideration the diverse needs for the space, from opera to chamber music to jazz orchestras to theatre performances. Ensuring the highest-level variable acoustic quality will make every seat a great seat.”

Fairchild Theatre will be the new home for popular College of Music chamber and recital series, choral music, opera, jazz, and the contemporary music ensemble Musique 21.

Click here to see a list of 2013 upcoming performances at Fairchild Theatre.

The multi-million dollar renovation of Fairchild Theatre converts the nearly 75-year-old proscenium-stage facility into a modern performance venue. The theatre will be used primarily by the College of Music and will also house performances by the MSU Department of Theatre and registered MSU student organizations.

The 462-seat theatre offers audiences a one-of-a-kind concert-going experience with its intimate connection to the performers. Improvements include ceiling clouds, an adjustable acoustic shell and sound-absorbing banners, a 47-seat orchestra pit, audio and visual sound reinforcement, air conditioning, and a recording/visual control room.

The same group that renovated the Music Building’s Byron and Dolores Cook Recital Hall collaborated on the Fairchild Theatre. The project team consisted of Kirkegaard Associates, the Smith Group JJR, Boora Architects, and the Christman Company.

Further improvements for guests include more restrooms and improved accessibility for persons with disabilities. In addition, there is convenient, free parking, which is located directly across the street in MSU Parking Lot #9.

More Photos of the New Fairchild Theatre