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A Special Thank You to Our Burritt Ensemble Performers

One of the highlights of this year's Great Plains International Marimba Competition was the opportunity to perform Michael Burritt's Shadow Chasers and White Pines alongside Professor Burritt himself.

These performances were only possible because of an incredible group of musicians who generously gave their time, energy, and artistry throughout the rehearsal process and performance week.

Shadow Chasers Ensemble
Rehearsal Marimbist: Michael Corts
Zoey Wilmoth
Noe Cruz
Dr. Connor Stevens
Dr. Tommy Dobbs

White Pines Ensemble
Rehearsal Marimbist: Michael Corts
Carmen Lopez
Michael Corts
Nathan Rainey
Dr. Connor Stevens
Dr. Tommy Dobbs

Thank you for your dedication, flexibility, professionalism, and musical excellence. From the first rehearsal to the final performance, your commitment helped create memorable musical experiences for our audience, competitors, and guests from around the world.

It was an honor to share the stage with Michael Burritt, and we are deeply grateful to each of you for helping bring these remarkable works to life at the 13th Annual Great Plains International Marimba Competition.

Please join us in thanking these outstanding musicians for their contributions to GPIMC 2026!

#GPIMC2026 by @greatplainsmarimba

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10 days ago

Celebrating Thirteen Years of Service

For thirteen years, GPIMC has been supported by an incredible community of volunteers. Their dedication, generosity, and belief in our mission have helped make this competition what it is today.

From welcoming competitors and families to helping things run smoothly behind the scenes, our volunteers play a vital role in every aspect of the event. Their hard work, kindness, and commitment are felt by everyone who attends GPIMC.

To each volunteer who gave their time and talents this year, THANK YOU! We are deeply grateful for all that you do and for the care you bring to this event.

🚨Everyone reading, help us show these amazing people some love in the comments🚨

🧡💚💛 The 2026 GPIMC Volunteers 💜💙❤️
Kendrick Brown
Isaiah Cole
Noe Cruz
Michael Corts
Julian Gomez
Lily Goodman
Josh Hamilton
Jessica Holt
Maya Johnson
Marshall Lane
Davis Lewis
Carmen Lopez
Bailey McDaniel
Brenden McDaniel
Jan Neely
J. Cole Medoff
Savannah Porter
Daxten Rhoads
Aurica Rising
Freddie Rodriguez
Chloe Ross
Candace Sao
Francisco Venegas
Reese Walker
Zoey Wilmoth taken in Wanda L. Bass School of Music - Oklahoma City University by @greatplainsmarimba

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11 days ago

Nick Rainey competes in the Collegiate/Open Solo Semi-Final Round of The Great Plains International Marimba Competition today at 2pm!

He will be performing:

Variations on Lost Love, III. By David Maslanka
E minor Lute Suite by J. S. Bach

We are so proud of you, Nick!! taken in Wanda L. Bass School of Music by @greatplainsmarimba

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15 days ago

Tonight at 7:00pm!

Kevin Bobo, Michael Burritt, and Ksenija Komljenović will take the stage!

You do NOT want to miss this!

#gpimc2026 taken in Wanda L. Bass School of Music by @greatplainsmarimba

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15 days ago

A look back at past @greatplainsmarimba competitions as we prepare for Wednesday's start of the 2026 competition! by @greatplainsmarimba

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18 days ago

I’m excited to officially welcome the newest members of the OCU Percussion Studio!

This group brings a wide range of talents, experiences, and goals. I can’t wait to start making music with them this fall.

⭐️ Candace Sao – B.A. Percussion Performance (Edmond, OK)  ⭐️ Davis Lewis – B.A. Music Education (Choctaw, OK)  ⭐️ Daxten Rhoads – B.A. Percussion Performance & Composition (Choctaw, OK)  ⭐️ Devin Grabowski – M.M. Percussion Performance (Milwaukee, WI)  ⭐️ Isaiah Cole – B.A. Percussion Performance (Oklahoma City, OK)  ⭐️ Noah Phillips – B.A. Percussion Performance (Choctaw, OK)  ⭐️ William Bottka – M.M. Percussion Performance & Composition (Jacksonville, FL) 
I’m incredibly grateful that these students have chosen OCU for the next step in their musical journeys. I’m looking forward to helping them grow as performers, educators, and leaders while learning from them along the way.

Please join me in welcoming them to the OCU Percussion community. The future is bright!  
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#OCUPercussion #PercussionStudio #MusicEducation #PercussionPerformance taken in Wanda L. Bass School of Music - Oklahoma City University by @greatplainsmarimba

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21 days ago

So proud of these students! Not only for the creative and passionate musicians they have become, but for the thoughtful, dedicated people they are, and for some, the future teachers they are about to be.

It has been an honor to watch their growth every step of the way and to play even a small part in this chapter of their lives.

While they may be leaving campus for now, they will always be part of the OCU Percussion Family. I’m excited to continue watching their journeys and to see the many ways they will positively impact the world around them.

Congratulations to:
Olivia Steele (BM Music Education) Matt Voit (BM Music Education) Nathan Rainey (BM Music Education) Eric Odland (BM Performance & Composition) Adam Whoolery (MM Performance) Jacob Murillo (MM Performance & Composition)

Thank you all for your hard work, your trust, and the countless memories. It’s been a privilege to be part of your journey.

#ocupercussion #graduation #nextsteps #proud taken in Oklahoma City University by @greatplainsmarimba

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2 months ago

I’m incredibly grateful to share that I’ve been granted tenure at Oklahoma City University!

It’s wild for me to write and read those words.

I am immediately reminded of what Mr. Von Barlow used to say to his friends and family at the end of his gigs, “without you, there’s no me.”

To my students at OCU and UAFS, thank you for your trust, passion, and for continually reminding me why I love teaching and making music. You inspire me more than you know.

To all my colleagues and mentors along the way (too many to list), thank you for your guidance, encouragement, and support. I’m deeply thankful to have work alongside people who challenge me, support me, and model what this profession can be at its best.

And to my family and friends! I truly couldn’t have done this without you. I love you.

I am feeling proud, humbled, and excited for what’s ahead. ❤️❤️

Go Stars! taken in Wanda L. Bass School of Music - Oklahoma City University by @greatplainsmarimba

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3 months ago

So incredibly proud of the OCU Percussion Ensemble. Yesterday, on their rare day off from school, these students gave so generously of their time and energy to perform a beautiful, meaningful concert at the Oklahoma Percussion Festival.

What I love about OCU Percussion goes far beyond dedication and music-making. It’s the culture. It’s the care. These students have created an environment that somehow transforms even the most stressful moments (loading a truck in dress clothes, coordinating gear moves, giving pep talks when confidence wavers, waking up early, staying late, and pushing through exhaustion) into experiences filled with laughter, connection, and joy.

One moment I kept reflecting on today was standing backstage together, grooving along to the ensemble onstage, watching everyone move, smile, and hype each other up. No egos. No disconnect. Just genuine support, shared excitement, and a deep passion for the music. Moments like that stay with you.

Yes, we were tired, dehydrated, and running on very little sleep, but when it comes to making meaningful music and being genuinely good humans, these students always rise to the occasion. They show up. They support one another. And they lead with heart.

So proud of you, OCU Percussion. I’m grateful to get to make music alongside you. Let’s do this again soon… like one Friday, April 10th at 7:30 p.m. 🔥❤️🤘

Huge thanks to Josh Turner, Nathan Daughtrey, Jeff Ausdemore, the Choctaw percussionists, and the band boosters for putting together such a fantastic festival and creating space for moments like these. taken in Choctaw High School by @greatplainsmarimba

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4 months ago

Congratulations to our @ocupercussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. @tommy.dobbs , on Friday's performance at the @pasoklahoma Days of Percussion in Choctaw! On the program: the Oklahoma debut of music. by Brant Backard and Olivier Tarpaga and the world premiere of "In My Garden" by alumnus percussionist/composer Jacob Murillo @groovyshorts ! The ensemble also performed "The Cry," by @ndaughtrey , festival guest artist. Bravi tutti! by @greatplainsmarimba

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4 months ago

Road trip coffee speed run.
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#coffee #speedrun #coffeetime #onyxcoffeelab instagramreels taken in Flagstaff, Arizona by @greatplainsmarimba

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4 months ago

It's our final ensemble recital before Spring Break! The @ocupercussion studio presents a Friday the 13th PERCUSSION PLUS recital today featuring collaborations with clarinet, violin and piano at 5 p.m. in the BMC's Large Rehearsal Hall. Admission is free and open to all. by @greatplainsmarimba

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4 months ago