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Spring 2026

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The Resonance Series is a guest lecture/performance/residency series that brings music professionals from around the world to share their experiences and stories, provide the future generation with insight into the industry and career paths, perform with student and local musicians, give masterclasses, and more.

Since Fall 2020, over 70 guests have spoken or performed for the series in over 200 events including more than 35 GRAMMY® winners representing 140+ GRAMMY® wins and over 350 GRAMMY® nominations. Additionally, guests have included Oscar, Emmy, Tony, Pulitzer Prize, Golden Globe, Juno, and Latin GRAMMY® winners, multiple U.S. Ambassadors of Music, multiple Guggenheim Fellows, and the musical directors of the Super Bowl, American Idol, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, and Kesha. Guests have played in the bands of Michael Jackson, Prince, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BTS, Paul McCartney, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Elton John, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Shakira, Stanley Clarke, Stevie Wonder, B. B. King, Ariana Grande, Sting, Chick Corea, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Snarky Puppy, and many more. Guests have been featured in major motion pictures, TED Mainstages, Oprah, The Voice, American Idol, Late Night Talk Shows including Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman, and Seth Meyers, NPR's Tiny Desk, BBC Proms, and more.

The series has free and public events across campus and Norman, including the Pioneer Library System, Norman Public Schools, and local businesses.

With the exception of specific concerts, all events are free and all events are always open to the public. Join us for this unique opportunity to listen to, work with, and ask questions of the music industry's most successful experts.

The Resonance Series’ major sponsor is the Norman Arts Council, with additional support from Peggy Doviak, NOUN Hotel, Oklahoma Film and Music Office, Onyx Lane, The Pioneer Library System, Midway Deli and AirBNB, The Embassy Suites of Norman, Norman Public Schools, Gilliam Music, Imagine Music and Arts, the Norman Music Institute, Montford Inn, Fowler Auto Group, The Winston, Benvenuti's Ristorante, Legend's Restaurant, Louis Bar & Grill, Tea Cafe, and multiple private donors.

Email e@ou.edu for additional information.

Spring 2026

Jim Riley - February 21

Drummer for Rascal Flatts, 4x GRAMMY®-Nominated, 16x #1 Billboard Singles, 6x Country Music Awards for Vocal Group of the Year, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Voted Best Country Drummer 6 times by Modern Drummer Magazine.

Schedule of Events

February 21, 2026

  • 11:00am - Q&A and performance - Norman Music Institute, 2901 Broce Drive, Norman, OK 73072

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Austin Wintory - February 23-24

2026 GRAMMY® Winner (5x Nominee) for Best Score Soundtrack on a Video Game (Sword of the Sea), composer for games including Assassin's Creed, League of Legends, Fortnite, Towerborne, Journey, Command and Conquer, Counter Strike, and over 60 films including John Wick.

Schedule of Events

February 23, 2026

  • 9am - Norman High School Events
  • 1:30pm - OU Symphony Orchestra Demo/Rehearsal - Catlett 124
  • 3:30pm - ACM@UCO Visit

February 24, 2026

  • 10:30am - "Conversation with Austin Wintory" - Fred Jones Museum of Art, Sandy Bell Gallery
  • 1:30pm - "The Magic of Austin Wintory" - Catlett 006D

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Philip Lassiter - March 10-11

11x GRAMMY® Winning Band Leader/Trumpet/Arranger for Prince, Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, Anderson .Paak, Kirk Franklin, Hamilton the Musical, and more

Schedule of Events

Schedule of events TBA

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Haleh Liza Gafori - April 3

Acclaimed poet, vocalist, performance artist, translator, and educator from NYC, with performances ranging from Bonnaroo and SXSW to Carnegie Hall. 2024 McDowell Fellow. In partnership with World Literature Today.

Schedule of Events

Schedule of events TBA

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Steve Smith - April 6-7

Drummer for Journey, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Voted #1 All-Around Drummer five times and Top 25 of All Time by Modern Drummer Magazine, 109 million albums sold, 25x Platinum, wrote/recorded songs including Don't Stop Believein' and Any Way You Want It

Schedule of Events

Schedule of events TBA

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Terrell Stafford - April 19-21

Appears on over 130 albums, has performed on Jay Leno, Carnegie Hall, and with McCoy Tyner, Christian McBride, Lincoln Center Jazz Band, and is considered "One of the Great Players of our Time" - McCoy Tyner.

Schedule of Events

Schedule of events TBA