Donald Sorah

Donald Sorah Music This channel features a variety of content ranging from compositions, film scores, trumpet performances, concert performances of my wind ensemble Winds of the Mountain Empire. Donald Sorah is Associa...

I’ve just added some new cinematic music to my YouTube channel. Take a listen, give a like, leave a comment. 😁

youtube.com/@donaldsorah

A highlight of conducting the Mountain Empire Band was spending time with former students. Will & Austin Farmer have established themselves as great music educators. Their students were fabulous and so kind. One in particular said it was so great to meet Mr. Farmer’s conducting teacher. 😆

We closed the concert with the world premiere of my newest composition, Radiant Revelry, and those young musicians played their hearts out. Watching them beam with pride as they brought a new piece of music to life was incredibly inspiring.

I also had the joy of sharing the program with one of my best friends of many years, Bob Ballengee, who conducted the junior band and led them to an outstanding performance.

It was truly beautiful to see so many smiling faces—eager to learn, grow, and make music together. One of the highlights of the event was the directors’ combo, who performed a few selections for the students during a break. What a fantastic idea!

I had a blast conducting the Mountain Empire Honor Band in Wytheville, VA over the past two days! The students and directors were incredibly welcoming. In just a few hours of rehearsal, we brought together 75 individually talented musicians into a cohesive ensemble and performed five compositions.

A big thank you to Dave Eggar and Yifei Xu for premiering my piece “Shadows and Dreams” for cello and piano. Their joyful and passionate performance was a special gift. I’m so thankful to have been part of such an engaging program, and I appreciate Pro-Art Association for supporting this concert.

Enjoyed a visit with the Wired Educator himself, my friend @kellycroy.bsky.social, in Wise today as he was en route back to his home in Ohio. It’s always inspiring to spend some time with this guy. As a bonus, I had the honor of being sniffed by the rock star pup, Jedi! #WiredEducator #ADE

Second composition of the year just completed. I am always so inspired by the wintry landscape.

A frigid start to the day, but I do love the magical landscape of the snow. ❄️

Grateful for my wife for spending part of her snow day helping me create my digital book shelf outside my office door. Now students (or anyone) can scan these QR codes at any time to download each book. #AppleBooks #AppleDistinguishedEducator #AppleEDU

First completed composition of 2025, a work for solo trumpet with string orchestra. Also finalizing a trumpet and organ reduction.

YouTube video by Donald Sorah Sorah Family Video Christmas Card 2024

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We’ve put together a little arrangement and video to share as our video Christmas card this year. youtu.be/Ez8FIId3P6I?...

We enjoyed sharing some Christmas music with others on our annual Random Acts of Caroling day. This year, we performed at Wise Heritage Hall, Norton Hi-Rise, GoodTimes Coal-Fired Pizza & Pub, Big Stone Gap Food City, and Big Stone Gap Heritage Hall. Our hearts are full and our chops are tired! 🎶🎺🎄🎅

I have enjoyed spending some quality time in the kitchen this week making sweet treats for the family. Mom would have already made a dining room table full of goodies for us all, as she did every year. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without her peanut butter candy and peanut butter balls.

Now that the holiday performances are over, I am enjoying spending some time in the kitchen. Today’s sweet treats include Scottish shortbread (thanks, @rooferburnett.bsky.social) and cuernitas (thanks, Carrie)! The shortbread is 100x better than Walker’s! And the kitchen smells so amazing!

A few of my friends and colleagues from the Johnson City Symphony concert tonight. So honored to share the stage with them.

Teaching trumpet lessons during Christmas parade season. 🎄

Indeed! Your hairstyle was much better than mine. 😆 Do reach out when you find yourself in the area!

Nailed it! It was outstanding. Thank for sharing these ideas! 🙏

Had a fantastic time at #VSTE24!

Day 2 was about making connections, attending inspiring sessions, and a powerful closing keynote by @cinehead.bsky.social

I also lead a session on composing w/ found sounds, enjoyed excellent coffee, & took a quick walk to the beach.

Great first day at VSTE! Two presentations, supporting my exceptional colleague Heather B. Askea as she won the Leader of the Year award, hanging out with Michael Hernandez, and some amazing pasta for dinner.

‎Music of Andalusia ‎Arts & Entertainment · 2024

🎶 The Music of Andalusia is here! 🎉 Explore the music of Semana Santa, Flamenco, and Paco de Lucía, with videos, activities, and pronunciation guides.

💡 Free on Apple Books: books.apple.com/us/book/musi...

#AppleBook #Andalusia #Spain #WorldMusic #AppleTeacher #AppleEDU #EduSky #AppleEduSky

Congratulations on your innovative work! Wish I could have made it out to celebrate with you.

I’ll be there and would like to be added. Thanks!

‎The Ins and Outs of Audio ‎Arts & Entertainment · 2024

Excited to share my FREE ebook, The Ins and Outs of Audio! Perfect for music educators, students, anyone curious about audio, it covers MIDI, mics, cables, interfaces, & more—engaging and easy to understand.

💡 Download: books.apple.com/us/book/the-...

#AppleEDU #EduSky #MusicTechnology #AppleBook

Thanks so much for your kind comments and for sharing, Andrew! I was a musician for many many years before I was introduced to acoustics formally. I am hoping this resource will support learners that would have been in my shoes.

So excited! See ya there!

Excited to attend my first #VSTE Conference in Virginia Beach next week. It will certainly be a busy couple of days, bookended by symphony rehearsals and concerts.

#VSTE24

Congratulations, Christoffer! 🎉