Initially inspired at an early age by a CD of famous classical works that included a violin sonata by Beethoven, Mr. Pratt joined his elementary school’s fourth grade band on clarinet. Despite practicing, he never seemed to get any better and he quit the band. There were many attempts at the clarinet over the next few years, but with little to no progress. Eventually, Mr. Pratt would work with a brilliant middle school band director who recognized his passion and introduced him to two new instruments: the euphonium and the tuba, which he immediately began learning.
When Mr. Pratt entered high school, he joined the school’s marching band, met his first private teacher, and discovered just how great his passion for playing music was. During this time, he served as Marching Band Section Leader for the sousaphone line and Principal Tubist for his school’s highest band ensemble, the All-County Honor Band, and the Tri-Country Honor Band; he also won his first orchestral position as Principal Tubist for the COSMIC Symphony Orchestra.
Immediately upon graduating high school in 2008, Mr. Pratt began his undergraduate studies in Music Performance at Towson University. Here, he spent six years studying under Michael M. Bunn, Principal Tubist for the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. During his time at Towson, he also studied trombone with Dr. Natalie Mannix, former trombonist with the U.S. Navy Band, and composition with Dr. Douglas Buchanan, a local Baltimore composer with national accolades. Mr. Pratt also served as Principal Tubist with Towson’s Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra and played with a brass quintet which regularly played throughout the Baltimore metropolitan Area, including graduations for both schools and the Maryland Transit Authority.
Since completing his Bachelor’s of Music in Tuba Performance, Mr. Pratt has been working as a private brass instructor in both the Cleveland and Columbus metropolitan areas. Currently, he is working on his Master’s in Tuba Performance under the tutelage of Dr. Tom Luckowicz at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.