Lynne Davis

Background

About Lynne Davis

A native of Michigan, leading international concert organist Lynne Davis graduated with honors in organ performance from the University of Michigan where she studied with Robert Clark. Shortly after, she moved to France to study with Marie-Claire Alain. While there she also studied with Jean Langlais, Maurice and Marie-Madeleine Duruflé, and Edouard Souberbielle as well as other great European master organists. For over thirty years, Lynne Davis made France her home, marrying Frenchman and Chartres International Organ Competition founder, Pierre Firmin-Didot. Between them the couple played a major role in the French organ music scene, initiating among other things the famous 1992 exhibition and recording of “Les Orgues de Paris”. Ms. Davis’ career was launched by taking First Prize at the prestigious St. Albans International Organ Competition in England. Her unique living and working experience in France gives her the status of world authority in all French organ repertoire. She holds the “Certificat d’Aptitude de Professeur d’Orgue” delivered by the Republic of France. A renowned teacher, she is now holding the Robert L.Town Distinguished Professor of Organ chair at the Wichita State University School of Music in Kansas. She produces the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series and performs organ recitals on the “Wednesdays in Wiedemann” series she created in 2007. Lynne Davis performs extensively and always to enthusiastic critical acclaim both in Europe and North America. Her most recent CD is “Lynne Davis at the Marcussen organ in Wiedemann Hall” at WSU. In 2011, Lynne Davis received the Excellence in Creativity Award from WSU. Following the immense success of the American Alain Festival she organized at WSU to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jehan Alain, she was awarded the prestigious distinction of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture and Communication in 2012. Awarded medal of the city of Wichita.