The UNC Greensboro School of Music will welcome renowned pianist Sara Davis Buechner as the featured artist for the 2023-2024 Daniel Ericourt Artist Residency in Piano.

Buechner will be on campus Monday, September 25th through Thursday, September 28th for student masterclasses, and a lecture. Ms. Buechner will also give a solo recital in Tew Recital Hall, which will feature a French-themed program consisting of works by Jacque-Dupont, Pierné, and de Sévérac as well as the Ravel-Ericourt Habañera, and Ravel’s Valses Nobles et Sentimentales. All events are free and open to the public.

The Ericourt Residency honors eminent French concert pianist Daniel Ericourt (1903-1998) who was Artist-in-Residence at the UNC Greensboro School of Music from 1963–1976.

“The Ericourt Residency is one of our important keyboard events,” says Dr. Andrew Willis, Professor of Keyboard and residency co-ordinator. “Daniel Ericourt’s widow, Jayne Winfield Ericourt, lives in Greensboro and is a beloved presence at many of our School of Music events. We are happy to be able to offer the residency honoring her late husband as an opportunity for the community to experience the School of Music, especially the keyboard area.”

Noted for her musical command, cosmopolitan artistry, and visionary independence, Sara Davis Buechner is one of the most original concert pianists of our time. Lauded for her “intelligence, integrity and all-encompassing technical prowess” (New York Times), “thoughtful artistry in the full service of music” (Washington Post), and “astounding virtuosity” (Philippine Star), Japan’s InTune magazine sums up: “Buechner has no superior.” As a proud transgender woman, Ms. Buechner also appears as a speaker and performer at important LGBTQ events, and has contributed interviews and articles about her own experience to numerous media outlets worldwide.

Over the years, the Ericourt Residency has brought a number of renowned artists to campus:

2007 José Feghali (Gold medal, Van Cliburn Competition)

2009 Jon Nakamatsu (Gold medal, Van Cliburn Competition)

2009 Jacques Després (Finalist, Montreal Piano Competition)

2010 Pascal Rogé (Gold medal, Marguerite Long Competition)

2012 Jacques Després

2014 David Owen Norris (Winner, 1st Gilmore Piano Competition)

2017 Charles Richard-Hamelin (Silver medal, International Chopin Competition)

2018 Daria Rabotkina (Winner, Concert Artists Guild Competition)

2019 Craig Sheppard (Silver medal, Leeds Piano Competition)

2022 Lydia Artymiw (Winner, Kosciuszko Chopin Competition)

All of the Ericourt Residency events are open to the public without charge. See event dates and times here.

Story by Terri W Relos