J. Andrew Porter is a percussionist in the West Point Band at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He was appointed as a rudimental drummer in the band’s field music group, known as “The Hellcats”, in 2005. The West Point Band is the oldest continuously serving band in the United States Army. History of the unit dates back to the Revolutionary War period, with fifers and drummers who were attached to General Washington’s Continental Army.
 

Prior to his appointment with The Hellcats, Andrew taught general music and band in his home state of Kentucky, and served two years as a full time percussion specialist in Texas. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Western Kentucky University, and a Master of Music in percussion performance from Louisiana State University. His primary teachers include Dr. Christopher S. Norton, Dr. Michael G. Kingan, Timothy K. Adams, Jr. and Conrad Alexander.
 

As a concert percussionist, Andrew has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Baton Rouge Symphony, Natchez Opera Festival Orchestra, Dallas Wind Symphony, and Brevard Music Center Orchestra. As a rudimental percussionist, he performed as a snare drummer with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from 1993-1995, and was the snare line section leader for the 1996 WGI Independent World Class Champion Music City Mystique. In addition to freelance performance opportunities in the lower Hudson Valley area, Andrew frequently performs with the West Point Concert Band, West Point Percussion Ensemble, and the West Point Steel Band. As a member of The Hellcats, Andrew has presented clinics for PASIC, KOSA, various PAS Days of Percussion, and USARD. As an independent clinician, Andrew often presents clinics and master classes covering marching and concert percussion techniques for university percussion studios and high school bands.