An Indianapolis native and resident, Daniel Dorsett, is an active composer, percussionist, and music educator. With over a decade of teaching experience, including six years as the band director at Harshman Middle School, Daniel’s dedication to music education earned him the prestigious WISH-TV Golden Apple Teacher Award in 2021. Daniel’s experience teaching both beginning and advanced band students produces compositions with practical playability and authenticity to each instrument. With memorable melodies and driving rhythms, Daniel’s music is expressive yet carefully crafted to be approachable for performers and directors and have been performed across the United States and Europe. Highlights include:
Forever Golden, commissioned by Director Natalie Humble and the Henryville High School Concert Band, honors Inez Hardee, a 1950 graduate and devoted supporter of the school for over seven decades. Premiered in December 2024, the piece celebrates her enduring joy and dedication to the community.
First Flight, commissioned by Dr. Joseph Scagnoli and the Indiana Ambassadors of Music Band, toured internationally in London, Paris, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria during Summer 2023.
Suttons Bay and Mischief, featured at the 2023 Indiana Music Education Association Professional Conference by the Franklin Central High School Wind Ensemble and the University of Indianapolis Symphonic Wind Ensemble, respectively.
Additional works, including works for orchestra, young band, percussion ensemble, and other chamber works, showcase Daniel’s versatility and his ability to write across a range of genres and ensembles.
He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of Indianapolis, where he studied percussion with Paul Berns of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and studied composition with Frank Felice, Associate Professor of Composition at Butler University. He also performs as a percussionist with the Indianapolis Symphonic Band.