Donald Sorah

Session: Maintaining Effective Communication Through Collaborative Applied Music Practice Records. With Kelly Sorah

Dr. Donald Sorah serves as Music Division Coordinator and Associate Professor of Music at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise where he teaches applied high brass, conducting, music technology, orchestration, and several additional courses. He also directs Jazz Ensembles and Trumpet Ensemble. In addition to his responsibilities at UVA Wise, Dr. Sorah serves as the conductor and musical director of the Winds of the Mountain Empire, a professional regional wind ensemble founded in 2006 and comprised primarily of music educators.

Prior to teaching at the college level, Sorah taught for seven years as a music educator where his bands received excellent and superior ratings in both concert and marching festivals in Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. He remains active as guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and lecturer throughout the region and internationally. 

As Associate Director of the Spirit of America National Honor Band, Dr. Sorah conducted and performed as trumpet soloist throughout Europe. He is a founding member of the the Guayaquil (Ecuador) Summer Music Academy where he performed, lectured, and taught applied trumpet. He performs regularly with the Symphony of the Mountains (Kingsport, TN), has been a featured soloist on multiple occasions with the Symphony of the Mountains and Symphony of the Mountains Chamber Players, and has performed with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra (TN), and the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra (KY).

Dr. Sorah holds the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Music Education from The Florida State University as well as a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education from Morehead State University (KY) where he was privileged to study trumpet with Jon Burgess and Bryan Goff respectively. He resides in Wise, Virginia with his wife Kelly, son Brennan, and dog Roamer.