Howard Chenery Auditorium

Celebrate With Us!

Make plans now to see the inside of the beautiful Chenery Auditorium

Holiday plans are completed with a trip to Chenery Auditorium.  Several great seasonal programs are occurring at Chenery Auditorium in December. 

Celebrate your holiday with a Chenery experience.  Experience the wonder and fantasy of THE NUTCRACKER on Saturday or Sunday December 12-13.  Ballet Arts Ensemble with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra will present three performances of THE NUTCRACKER !!!  Chenery Auditorium's holiday season continues on December 16, with Hillside Middle School's Winter Concert presented by the Orchestra, Band, and Choir.  The Holiday programming ends with Linden Grove Middle School's Winter Concert on December 17.  

Make plans NOW to experience the Holiday Season in a "Classic" way at Chenery Auditorium!!!

What can you expect when you visit Chenery Auditorium?

First, you can enter from either the Dutton Street entrance or the regular Westnedge entrance. The Dutton Street entrance has a totally new marquee and pillars.  The Westnedge entrance has new doors. Next, you will notice that there are only four aisles, in place of the usual five. Ticket takers will greet you at the door for your aisle.  As you enter the aisle for your seat, you will go through a second set of doors. These doors help keep outside sound and light from interrupting the program you are watching. A new, wider seat awaits you.

Many acoustic improvements have been completed including a new orchestra shell. New railing inserts improve viewing. Most lighting has been moved to the back of the Gallery, providing less obstructions. New lighting instruments have been installed. The orchestra pit has been remodeled to provide more space for the orchestra.

Air conditioning of the auditorium and stage keep the audience and performers comfortable when the weather heats up.

Don't miss out! Check the Upcoming Events and make plans to enjoy the still "Classic", but improved Chenery Auditorium!!!

There are many opportunities to enjoy yourself at Chenery Auditorium this season.

Plan now to be part of THE GILMORE, 2010 Keyboard Festival, April 22 - May 8, 2010.  20 years, ten festivals! 

The Gilmore "Chenery Series" will include 6 concerts!!!

A Brief History of Chenery Auditorium
The auditorium at "old" Kalamazoo Central High School was officially dedicated in 1924 and was one of the largest high school auditoriums in the state. Always known for its superior acoustics, the auditorium has hosted many school and community events, including big-name artists Glenn Miller, the Kingston Trio, Bob Hope, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and others. The auditorium was refurbished in 1960. It was painted, given new upholstered seats and the beautiful Austrian crystal chandeliers were installed. Stage rigging, a new floor and draperies rounded out the 1960 work. Further rigging improvements were made in 1991, along with the installation of a state-of-the-art lighting system. In 1973 the Auditorium was renamed for Howard Chenery, the school's drama teacher for 38 years beginning in 1923. In 1997 the auditorium was again painted and the seating reupholstered. That renovation reduced the seating capacity from 2500 to 1900 to provide greater seating comfort for the patrons. Currently, the auditorium is busy over 200 days a year bringing the finest in family entertainment to the Kalamazoo community. Check out the latest offerings by visiting this page often.