The Hellcats | Pratt - Drum Corps on Parade

It is with great pleasure that the Hellcat drum section pays tribute to our distinguished Hellcat predecessor and PAS Hall of Fame recipient John S. Pratt through the performance of one of his most famous snare drum solos "Drum Corps On Parade." In this video, The Hellcat section puts their own creative stamp with the addition of a newly composed bass drum part as well as additional interpretations and dynamic phrasings. The style and vocabulary of this performance is typical of what one would still hear on the parade grounds today at West Point, where drummers have provided the pulse to our Nation's leaders since first established by General George Washington; thus, earning the unique distinction as the oldest continuing drum position in America.

[@jackiehecht1603]

Thanks for dedicating one for our Dad. He had four daughters. The eldest, Jenean Elizabeth, Holy Christine (passed), and the twins..Mary "Jackie" Jacqueline, and Joan "Joanie" Marie. We all loved to hear him drum. He's got Alzheimer's now, and it is progressed. I will show him this video tomorrow and I hope to see a smile. Drumming was always his passion.

[@ericsheffler6585]

Jackie - Thanks so much for your comment here. I am a drummer in The Hellcats and it is inspiring to read your words about how you and your sisters loved your dad's drumming. There is such a personal influence of his drumming style that we get to play on a daily basis from all of the writing he did while a member of the group. Two that we love to play are Pancakes and Hip A Dipper. We have used those in clinics we have done, talking about the creativity your father brought to the rudimental drumming world. We are so blessed and proud to carry on his tradition. I am so sorry to hear of his worsening health. I hope he got a smile out of this video tribute. Please tell him The Hellcats say hello and we are thinking about him! Peace - Eric

[@ZackPomerleau]

I am currently studying music in school and am a drummer. One of the pieces I am studying is "Drum Corps on Parade" from his book 14 Modern Contest Solos for Snare Drum. Your Dad is certainly a legend and I am honored to be able to even get the chance to learn one of his pieces of music! Send my well wishes to him and my thanks for all he has done. :)

[@jackiehecht1603]

***** Thanks Zack. Where are you playing now?

[@ZackPomerleau]

Jackie Hecht Of course! I currently study at the University of Maine, and play with a few groups (I have lots of videos up). I've been playing since I was very young, I absolutely love music, especially the drums!

[@jackiehecht1603]

It is very sad now that he has been affected seriously by Alzheimer's. He has been losing his words, he sleeps a lot, he does not recognize people, but he is still affectionate and he still drums a little. I am okay with him not remembering me. The best thing I heard that touched me, was this, "It is not important for them to remember us, it is important that we remember ourselves to them. I'm very happy to get a smile and every now and again that glimmer of recognition. I wish you could have known him when he was in full swing. Best of luck with your drumming. Let me know how you're doing : )

[@dannykline8284]

I never tire of this style of drumming. Thank you!

[@francheskamontinola4462]

The HELLCATS . the field music group of the West Point Band.. A unique group of gentlemen....with skills of precision at the drums or the trumpets but undeniably of untold talents these men... Whether it is playing as part of their band or just for show. . one would stand in awe...wide-eyed and gaping mouths in disbelief at how precise they may twirl their trumpets or cross their drummer sticks in precise tempo...but the Hell cats are oozing with talent that just seem indescribable ..they have already made a name for themselves and have etched the same for posterity...if lf looking to listen to superb execution of band music or delicate syncopated drum rhythm and rolls....just say. HELLCATS!!!! There you go......

[@waynegray1380]

Wow, gives me chills. I was a member of the Kingston Indians drum and bugle corps in the sixties and seventies and Jack was our drum instructor. I am a proud member of his first gold medal winning drum quartet. Jack gave each member a signed copy of his book 14 modern contest solos, I have mine framed along with the medal. Jack and Joan became friends of the family and Joan would often come to Kingston with Jack and visit with my mom when Jack and I went to practice. Good lord, that was so long ago, the twins were just infants. Jack is not only a legend, He's an inspiration to everyone who's life he touched and I'm honored and blessed to know him.

[@mapetty]

Beautiful! I have been using this piece lately to give students an understanding of where today's drumming comes from. I love your interpretation; it really brings the piece to life!

[@hvsteve1]

It's wonderful that they are remembering the great Jack Pratt, Drum Corps Hall of Fame legend and long time Hellcat.

[@jackiehecht1603]

Dad was a D.C. Judge, he instructed the Hawthorne Cabelleros Drum and Bugle Corps for many years, and previously the N.Y. Skyliners. After the Cabelleros, he instructed the Chinatown Corp, "The Crimson Kings", and later still he drummed in the Ex 5th Regiment Fife and Drum with Duke Terrari.

[@peggyoneill1886]

Hi Jackie...It's me Pat Henderson who along with my brother Jim Kirwin started the Sons & Daughters of the Ex5th Reg't...your Dad whipped our Drum Line into shape...Loved him...Your Mom and Joanie were also members.

[@groovsmyth]

I enjoy traditional rudimental drumming on vintage reproduction field drums immensely. What I would really LOVE to see (and hear) is the re-enactment of a missing middle period of field drum history. . . the phenomenal 1970s solo arrangements with Ludwig Super-Sensitive, Rogers Dynasonic, or Slingerland TDR, but also with the full complement of triple-tenor (bari, bass), unmuffled pitched basses, pitched cymbals, and an ensemble timpani line. If the civilian sector can't seem to get it done, it would seem highly appropriate for any branch of the military to tackle this glaring omission of historical re-enactment or Living History. The *Silence* regarding this Era is truly deafening. Am I to die off without ever hearing this suppressed performance art form in person again?

[@groovsmyth]

@MorganBG I don't know if you're a regular on Facebook, but this is a group that advocates for just such an endeavor... the Living History of Field Drum Re-Enactment from The Golden Age of the 70s. facebook.com/groups/oldschoolDRUMandbuglecorps/

[@BradyKacon]

word

[@thecrypticzoo3613]

It's always a treat to hear pure precision on the line. Nothing less than what I'd expect from the Hellcats.

[@longfade]

Love it! I just received my copy of '14 Modern Contest Solos' this afternoon. I played rudimental snare in High School and Drum Corps back in the 80s, and I'm amazed, and very sorry, that I never heard of John S. Pratt until seeing a Rick Dior video just 2 days ago. Now I have the book in my hands and am eager to work through these wonderful etudes.

[@darylruffin5727]

Wow! This was my audition piece when I was at Norfolk State University for the snare line. I crushed it.

[@lez_smkkgatle8083]

Beautiful work from the hellcats 🙌🎶 watching all the way from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@grettagip]

Love this! New respect for the syncopation input of the bass drum!

[@john-davidallensr9145]

When I was in the Grey Knights Drum & Bugle Corps in Rochester, NY--Jack was our Drum Instructor (mid '60)

[@mholub]

+John-David Allen Sr The Grey Knight Post Crusaders? Did you know a Jim Hosley?

[@BradHalls]

Awesome! Great piece, great performance.

[@Texray1]

Pratt and Wilcoxen were required reading in high school. Many great memories of this style of drumming.

[@Serge_Korr_Music]

Great!!! And very cool deep and beautiful Field Drums!!

[@TylerDunphy]

just bought the book! some sweet stuff in there, I've been learning modern corps music so I want to delve in the classics.

[@Denis-lp8jd]

Un commentaire en français j'adore merci pour votre prestation 👍

[@maxdominate2481]

They finally got the Sgt Major on the snare line. Excellent.

[@pblount340]

This is my 8th grade snare solo, so it’s really cool to see an actual drum line perform this. 😀

[@georgelandgrebe2710]

Same here. I'm very overwhelmed, never played anything quite as difficult as this, but I'll try to perfect it to every part.

[@pblount340]

George Landgrebe I’m sure it’ll sound great. Nice to know someone else feels the same way I do lol. 😂

[@tippsyofficial]

I'm doing this for solo ensemble for 7th grade and its stressing me out

[@harris_h24]

@@tippsyofficial take everything slow, then speed it up 5bpm at a time. Start by learning each measure 1 by 1, and slowly putting lines together. One you can play the whole thing slow, just try to play 50bpm.

[@scsi2707]

Rhyder TV Had to do this as an audition for my high school drum line and they are the best band in the region.

[@Deech72]

WOW.

[@vincentbuonora8477]

What class!

[@GKDCGgreg]

Played this in 8th grade years ago at tempo with dynamics a really great solo

[@olivmartvallecera6680]

wow so nice

[@johns-rollandtap.2854]

Well played great tone & dynamics 🥁

[@gabrielegrosso2090]

rhythm for my ears...

[@galadriel6004]

Great!

[@jamessholtz6016]

From a USMC rudimental and band drummer - sounds great!

[@BandWestPoint]

Thanks!

[@LeotheTiger1234]

I would be interested to hear how the Hellcats might do the other 13 solos in the pack, but this one has to be the most legendary. Every drummer should learn this drum solo. The performance begins at 0:27.

[@maxencedetraz4351]

Hello, i have a question do you have the bass drum part ?

[@saints093]

I'll bet it would sound better with a couple more bass drums like the one here in this video, and maybe a few quads as well

[@AlejandroLopez-zs5ph]

exelente.. algo que mis oidos apreciaron escuchar... me puedes ayudar con las partituras porfavor. .. me ayudarian muchoo gracias.

[@matthewpaluch777]

Who built those fine drums? Are they Cooperman?

[@nsmith996]

Matthew Paluch yes they are

[@tuckerpolfus3176]

I had no idea it was West Point I live there

[@kauanfreitas2048]

Partiture for bass drum??

[@john-davidallensr9145]

The name sounds familiar-put that was back in the 60"s..CRS is setting in. Have a great day. Are you in the Hell Cats? God Bless!!R/John-David Allen, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret)..

[@thebopwashere]

Is bass drum playing mostly the snare solo or improvised?

[@Tasaconga]

Placer...!!!

[@kauanfreitas2048]

Partiture??

[@vincentbuonora8477]

...but I’d like to add say a few extra bass and snare drums....go really big sound!

[@emilycox7418]

Anyone know where there is a tutorial for this is?

[@Awesomethunder16]

0:26

[@ROCKNROLLFAN]

OK.....

[@Marco-bf4uu]

On which Uniform are those here based ive never seen pics of us soldiers dressed like that looks german

[@BandWestPoint]

It is a special ceremonial uniform of the West Point Band, authorized for wear only by our unit members.

[@Marco-bf4uu]

@@BandWestPoint thank you, nice

[@americanspirit8932]

DCA & DCI SHOULD LOOK AT THE HELLCATS.

[@garetwilliams6011]

Different activities entirely

[@americanspirit8932]

@@garetwilliams6011 the point is, DCI and DCA play very few rudiments. They're more into visuals with head bobbing, juggling, by the English showing how cool they are, they need to start playing real rudiments like we did in Old School Days. Today there's no emphasis on exposure to error caption. The activity has turned into a marching band competition. We no longer have real drum and bugle c o r p s. May they all rest in peace.

[@ShootNick]

Кто русский?

[@earleforbes4453]

,

[@RISERISERISERISE]

All these inspiring stories and then this lol

[@lateralus747]

The only style of marching band drumming I can stand and actually like. This absolutely blows DCI and all of that other stuff out of the water. The traditional stuff has its place and is important. About ten seconds into listening to any of the new breed of marching bands and drum lines and I’m bored. It’s actually super cringe.

[@brokentombot]

Weird intro.