Durham, NC -

Renovation of Baldwin Auditorium on East Campus is progressing.  The nearly 100-year-old performance venue is keeping its old look and feel but getting a larger stage, a new heating and ventilation system and new balcony seating, changes all designed to bring more comfort to audience and performer alike.  Most importantly, the acoustics will be optimized for music performance.  Overall capacity will decrease from 850 to 720 seats.

With its distinctive white dome and Georgian design, Baldwin Auditorium is the primary rehearsal and performance venue for numerous student ensembles, including the Duke Symphony Orchestra, the Duke Jazz Ensemble, the Duke Chorale and the Duke Wind Symphony and is a landmark feature of East Campus.

"Baldwin is where Duke meets Durham," says Scott Lindroth, vice provost for the arts.  "Baldwin will be the finest concert hall in the area when it opens in the fall of 2013. The Music Department and Duke Performances are closely collaborating on new programming that takes full advantage of this magnificent hall."

The renovations are part of a larger overall of three major landmarks of the university: Baldwin, West Union Building and Page Auditorium.  The renovations are supported by a $80 million gift from The Duke Endowment.