
photo: Bachrach Photography
Ralph Sorrentino is the Director of Percussion Studies at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches applied percussion and directs the West Chester University Percussion Ensemble. Sorrentino has served as Principal Percussionist of the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra since 2011, and as Section Percussionist with the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra since 2008. Sorrentino’s work with Opera Philadelphia includes critically acclaimed performances at Philadelphia’s historic Academy of Music, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and Harlem’s world-famous Apollo Theater. Sorrentino was the principal percussionist for Opera Philadelphia’s April 2016 New York premiere performances of Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD, which marked the first time that opera was performed on the Apollo Theater stage.
Sorrentino has performed as a substitute percussionist with The Philadelphia Orchestra since 2002, and he has performed as a substitute percussionist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 2011. With these two world-class orchestras, Sorrentino has performed under the batons of many of the world’s great conductors (Riccardo Muti, Sir Simon Rattle, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Kirill Petrenko, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Jaap van Zweden) in some of the nation’s premier concert venues (Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Ravinia Festival, and the Bravo! Vail Music Festival). Sorrentino has also performed with the Russian National Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and the Philly Pops. Sorrentino has performed for several international dignitaries, including King Charles III (with The Philadelphia Orchestra) and Pope Francis (with the Philly Pops).
Sorrentino’s debut solo percussion album (multiplicity) was released in October 2014, and his second percussion album (LO & BEHOLD) was released in April 2021 by Ravello Records. Sorrentino has performed as a concerto soloist with the Immaculata Symphony, West Chester University Percussion Ensemble, Penn State University Percussion Ensemble, University of Delaware Percussion Ensemble, James Madison University Percussion Ensemble, and Messiah University Percussion Ensemble. Sorrentino gave the 2003 world premiere performance of composer Robert Maggio’s Songs from the Wood after playing an integral role in the commission and development of the solo marimba composition. Sorrentino was named National First Runner-Up at the 1999 MTNA Collegiate Artist Percussion Competition in Los Angeles CA, after winning the state and northeast regional levels of the competition. Sorrentino has recorded percussion tracks for NFL Films, including music that has been heard on the national television broadcasts of Super Bowls XL through LVIII.
As a chamber musician, Sorrentino is a founding member of Electrum Duo (Sophia Anastasia, flute; Ralph Sorrentino, percussion) and Duo PerCanto (Madeline Ley, soprano; Ralph Sorrentino, percussion). Electrum Duo’s November 2008 New York City debut recital at Bargemusic was favorably reviewed in the December 1, 2008 edition of The New York Times.
Music critic Steve Smith commented that “the Electrum players were persuasive advocates: Ms. Anastasia played with brightness and vigor, while Mr. Sorrentino pattered across drums, cymbals and woodblocks with an impressive feeling of flow. The playing had an air of conversational spontaneity; each performer seemed to finish the other’s statements now and then… [Ms. Anastasia’s] vitality was neatly balanced by the graceful efficiency with which Mr. Sorrentino choreographed his manifold tasks throughout the evening. Perhaps it was an ability to play against type that made these players cohere so effectively.”
Electrum Duo has presented recitals in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia. The Duo has released two albums, Introductions and Thoughts. In May 2011 Electrum Duo premiered JLS, a ballet score by award-winning composer Robert Maggio, in collaboration with Roxey Ballet of Lambertville NJ. In 2016 Electrum Duo commissioned noted composer Maurice Wright’s Duo Fantasia, and the Duo presented the world premiere performance in March 2017. Duo PerCanto performed its inaugural concert in June 2023 and has since performed recitals throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Duo PerCanto is currently engaged in commission projects with several composers.
Sorrentino joined West Chester University’s percussion faculty in August 2004, and he has presented clinics and masterclasses at numerous universities throughout the United States. Sorrentino’s undergraduate and graduate percussion students have been admitted to a variety of prestigious graduate schools, and his high school percussion students have been admitted to top conservatories and universities.
Sorrentino holds an Ed.D. in Policy, Planning, and Administration from West Chester University, an M.M. in Orchestral Performance from Temple University, and B.M. (Music Performance) and B.S. (Music Education) degrees from West Chester University. His principal teachers include Alan Abel, Angela Zator Nelson, Matthew Strauss, and Chris Hanning.
Sorrentino is an artist endorser for Pearl Drums and Adams Musical Instruments, SABIAN cymbals, and Innovative Percussion.
Albums
Lo and Behold
Catalog Number: RR8052