Donald W.

Sorah

Donald W. Sorah is an Associate Professor of Music at The University of Virginia's College at Wise, where he innovatively integrates technology and project-based learning in music education. With over 25 years of experience, he empowers students through creative, technology-enhanced approaches to musical composition and performance.

As an Apple Distinguished Educator and ISTE Certified Educator, Dr. Sorah has authored several influential books available for free on the Apple Books store, including The Ins and Outs of Audio, Basic Acoustics for Musicians, The Music of Andalusia, Composing with Found Sounds in GarageBand, Everyone Can Create Music With iPad Curriculum Guide, Book of Rhythms and Melodies Volume 1, and Book of Rhythms and Melodies Volume 2. He uses tools like GarageBand and StaffPad to help students create music featured on platforms such as Apple Music and Apple Books.

A prolific composer, Dr. Sorah's works have been performed by numerous prestigious ensembles, including the Symphony of the Mountains, University of Florida Symphonic Band, University of Louisville Symphonic Band, Dordt University Wind Symphony, Nichols State University Symphonic Band, and the Grammy-nominated duo of Dave Eggar and Tasha Warren. His composition The Trestle Tree notably raised over $5,000 to support young musicians and flood victims in eastern Kentucky, demonstrating his commitment to using music as a force for community support. He continues to perform as a trumpeter with the Symphony of the Mountains and Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, and founded Winds of the Mountain Empire, a community wind ensemble he has conducted for nearly 20 years.

Courses Taught

• MUS 1001: Music Departmental
• MUS 1040: Introduction to Music Technology
• MUS 1070/3070: Everyone Can Create Music With iPad
• MUS 1123/3123: Jazz Ensemble
• MUS 1125/3125: Brass Ensemble (High Brass)
• MUS 1311: Applied Music Secondary Trumpet
• MUS 1312: Applied Music Secondary Horn
• MUS 1371: Applied Music Secondary Composition
• MUS 1411/2411/3411/4412: Applied Music Principal Trumpet
• MUS 1412/2412/3412/4412: Applied Music Principal Horn
• MUS 1471/2471/3471: Applied Music Principal Composition
• MUS 1552: Aural Skills I
• MUS 1554: Aural Skills II
• MUS 2030: Music Appreciation
• MUS 2038/3038: Popular and World Music
• MUS 3520: Beginning Conducting
• MUS 3523: Advanced Conducting & Literature 
• MUS 3540: Advanced Music Technology
• MUS 3611: Improvisation
• MUS 3651: Orchestration and Arranging
• MUS 3900: Junior Lecture Recital
• MUS 4900: Senior Recital

Research Interests

• Educational Technology
• Music Technology
• Music Education
• Music Composition/Arranging

Professional Memberships

• Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
• Apple Distinguished Educator
• International Society for Technology in Education - Certified Educator
• International Trumpet Guild
• Pi Kappa Lambda
• Pi Delta Kappa
• Virginia Society for Technology in Education