Donald Sorah
@dsorah.bsky.social
Distinguished Educator | Learning Coach
ISTE Certified Educator
Associate Professor of Music
Innovator | Educator | Author | Podcaster
Composer | Trumpeter | Conductor
ISTE Certified Educator
Associate Professor of Music
Innovator | Educator | Author | Podcaster
Composer | Trumpeter | Conductor
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. 😆
April 6, 2025 at 11:04 PM
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.
April 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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.
April 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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!
April 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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.
April 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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.
March 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM
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
March 3, 2025 at 2:16 AM
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.
January 21, 2025 at 9:21 PM
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. ❄️
January 21, 2025 at 9:17 PM
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
January 21, 2025 at 6:24 PM
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.
January 10, 2025 at 3:50 PM
First completed composition of 2025, a work for solo trumpet with string orchestra. Also finalizing a trumpet and organ reduction.
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! 🎶🎺🎄🎅
December 21, 2024 at 9:18 PM
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.
December 19, 2024 at 2:32 AM
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!
December 17, 2024 at 1:33 AM
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.
December 15, 2024 at 6:22 PM
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. 🎄
December 12, 2024 at 2:25 PM
Teaching trumpet lessons during Christmas parade season. 🎄
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.
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.
December 11, 2024 at 7:19 PM
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.
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.
December 10, 2024 at 12:59 AM
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.
3/3 Stay tuned this week for more free ebooks designed to inspire creativity and empower musicians and educators alike. I would love to know how Basic Acoustics for Musicians supports your learning! 🎶
#AppleDistinguishedEducator #AppleTeacher #AppleEDU #AppleEDUCommunity #Acoustics #AppleBooks
#AppleDistinguishedEducator #AppleTeacher #AppleEDU #AppleEDUCommunity #Acoustics #AppleBooks
December 3, 2024 at 4:30 PM
3/3 Stay tuned this week for more free ebooks designed to inspire creativity and empower musicians and educators alike. I would love to know how Basic Acoustics for Musicians supports your learning! 🎶
#AppleDistinguishedEducator #AppleTeacher #AppleEDU #AppleEDUCommunity #Acoustics #AppleBooks
#AppleDistinguishedEducator #AppleTeacher #AppleEDU #AppleEDUCommunity #Acoustics #AppleBooks
2/3 This book unpacks the fundamentals of acoustics, helping musicians and educators explore how sound is created, shaped, and experienced. From vibrations and resonance to the colors of sound, this resource is perfect for deepening your understanding of music.
December 3, 2024 at 4:30 PM
2/3 This book unpacks the fundamentals of acoustics, helping musicians and educators explore how sound is created, shaped, and experienced. From vibrations and resonance to the colors of sound, this resource is perfect for deepening your understanding of music.
1/3 The first ebook in my Fall 2024 sabbatical series, 'Basic Acoustics for Musicians,' is now available for FREE on Apple Books! 📖✨
💡 Start learning today! Download your free copy here: lnkd.in/emZ7kG7r
#AppleDistinguishedEducator #AppleTeacher #AppleEDU #AppleEDUCommunity #Acoustics #AppleBooks
💡 Start learning today! Download your free copy here: lnkd.in/emZ7kG7r
#AppleDistinguishedEducator #AppleTeacher #AppleEDU #AppleEDUCommunity #Acoustics #AppleBooks
December 3, 2024 at 4:30 PM
1/3 The first ebook in my Fall 2024 sabbatical series, 'Basic Acoustics for Musicians,' is now available for FREE on Apple Books! 📖✨
💡 Start learning today! Download your free copy here: lnkd.in/emZ7kG7r
#AppleDistinguishedEducator #AppleTeacher #AppleEDU #AppleEDUCommunity #Acoustics #AppleBooks
💡 Start learning today! Download your free copy here: lnkd.in/emZ7kG7r
#AppleDistinguishedEducator #AppleTeacher #AppleEDU #AppleEDUCommunity #Acoustics #AppleBooks
Congrats to all involved with the UVA Wise production of 9 to 5! We were thoroughly entertained this evening! 👏
November 23, 2024 at 2:53 AM
Congrats to all involved with the UVA Wise production of 9 to 5! We were thoroughly entertained this evening! 👏
Such a great session with a great partner presenting at the #GLOWedu conference on Wednesday. Looking forward to many more international collaborations.
November 22, 2024 at 12:37 PM
Such a great session with a great partner presenting at the #GLOWedu conference on Wednesday. Looking forward to many more international collaborations.
Just finished “Creative Schools” by Ken Robinson. He makes a strong case for moving beyond standardized ed to create environments that value creativity, curiosity, and individuality. As a music professor, I’ve seen how SS light up when they’re given the chance to take ownership of their learning.
November 22, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Just finished “Creative Schools” by Ken Robinson. He makes a strong case for moving beyond standardized ed to create environments that value creativity, curiosity, and individuality. As a music professor, I’ve seen how SS light up when they’re given the chance to take ownership of their learning.