UVA Wise Trumpet Ensemble headed to Ohio

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Trumpet Ensemble has been selected to perform at the 2020 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Columbus, Ohio in May. 

The ensemble consists of UVA Wise trumpet students Joseph McNulty and Nathan Vicars, and community members Jason Bailey, Shelby Carico, and Ric Munsey. The ensemble is under the direction of Associate Professor Donald Sorah who will perform with the ensemble for Fanfare for an Angel by James M. Stephenson and conduct the ensemble in its performance of Laudi all Vergine Maria, originally composed for choir, transcribed for trumpet ensemble by David Turnbull.

Senior Joseph McNulty earned a scholarship to attend last year’s International Trumpet Guild Conference in Miami, Florida. Professor Sorah, eager to provide additional opportunities for students to experience the conference with the learning opportunities, professional connections, and inspiration it brings, encouraged the ensemble to submit an application for performance at this year’s conference. 

“Attending the ITG Conference last year was a wonderful opportunity to be surrounded by so many world class musicians and teachers,” McNulty said. “The sessions provided great insight into trumpet pedagogy and history while the recitals and concerts were truly inspirational. I am looking forward to returning to the conference this year and the opportunity to perform as a member of a UVA Wise ensemble. It’s quite an honor to perform at an international conference along with my friends from Wise and to represent our college on stage.”

UVA Wise prides itself with engaging the community in learning experiences and the Division of Music invites members of the community to participate in music ensembles. Members of this trumpet ensemble who are not current students are connected in a variety of ways to Sorah and to the college. Bailey studied with Sorah as a high school students and currently serves on staff with the Marching Highland Cavaliers. Ric Munsey, a native of Lee County, was a mentor of Sorah during the time that he was a high school trumpeter. Shelby Carico, a graduate of John I. Burton High School, was a trumpet student of Sorah throughout high school and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance from James Madison University. 

“I am honored to showcase this ensemble of talented trumpeters on the international stage,” Sorah said. “This group is made up of trumpeters who have been inspirational to me and those who I have been fortunate to teach over my tenure as a trumpeter.”