The University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band, or Pitt Band, is the college
marching band
A marching band is a group of instrumental musicians who perform while marching, often for entertainment or competition. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Most marching bands wear a uniform, ofte ...
at the
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a public state-related research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university is composed of 17 undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges at its urban Pittsburgh campus, home to the universit ...
. The band numbers over 300 students consisting of instrumentalists, a majorette squad known as the Golden Girls, a color guard, and the drumline. The band was founded in 1911 and has won numerous awards over the years. All members of the band must pass an audition in order to join. The band is currently housed in
Trees Hall
Joseph C. Trees Hall is a multipurpose student, staff, faculty recreational facility on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the Oakland (Pittsburgh), Oakland section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. First opened in 1962 with a second phase ...
; however, in 2020, the
Pitt Athletic Department announced its "Victory Heights" initiative, part of the campus
master plan which includes a new marching band facility slated to open in 2024.
History
![PittBand1914Owl](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/PittBand1914Owl.jpg)
The earliest noted incarnation of a university band at the school was in 1904 when it was known as the
Western University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a public state-related research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university is composed of 17 undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges at its urban Pittsburgh campus, home to the universit ...
. It consisted of eight young men whose official uniforms were inexpensive caps. After a few years, uniforms made up of a
derby hat
The bowler hat, also known as a billycock, bob hat, bombín (Spanish) or derby (United States), is a hard felt hat with a rounded crown, originally created by the London hat-makers Thomas and William Bowler in 1849. It has traditionally been worn ...
and a sweater were adopted, however, the uniforms never lasted longer than one season due to the especially fragile nature of the derby.
An official organization of a student marching band occurred in 1911, the year often cited as its date of establishment, and the band made its first appearance that year at
Forbes Field
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland (Pittsburgh), Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to June 28, 1970. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball (MLB) team, and the first home of t ...
on 14 October 1911 at the Pitt vs. Ohio Northern game with just 8 musicians in uniforms only consisting of scarlet felt caps with blue tassels. Band members played on seven instruments borrowed from Becher's Music Store.
The original band was organized by Dr. Earl Miller and James G. Oliver while Carl Sabad became the Student Leader and Don Kirk played the role of manager, who obtained commitments to its membership from 22 men.
Half of the funding for the band was initially provided by the Athletic Council with the other half donated by students, alumni, and friends of the University.
Uniforms were provided in 1912, including
mackinaws, from a donation by
Edward V. Babcock
Edward Vose Babcock (January 31, 1864 – September 2, 1948) was a lumber industrialist who served as Mayor of Pittsburgh from 1918 to 1922.
Biography
Early life
Edward Vose Babcock entered the lumber business from an early age. He ran successf ...
.
The band ostensibly struggled in its early years, particularly during
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
, until 1918 when Italian immigrant Mario S. Rocereto was named director, a position he held until his retirement in 1934. Rocereto raised the standards of the band by making membership in the band try-out only and adding new uniforms consisting of blue overcoats with blue and gold caps paid for by the Athletic Council.
The band greatly grew and improved under Rocereto. The band gave its first home concert on 5 April 1922 in the
Carnegie Music Hall
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh are four museums that are operated by the Carnegie Institute headquartered in the Carnegie Institute complex in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Carnegie Institute complex, which includes th ...
and was composed of male musicians from multiple schools within the university.
In the late 1930s, Pitt’s military department took over direction of the band and enrollment became restricted to
ROTC
The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC ( or )) is a group of college- and university-based officer-training programs for training commissioned officers of the United States Armed Forces.
Overview
While ROTC graduate officers serve in all ...
members. Band uniforms were military-like with cross belts and members had to pass rigid musical aptitude and marching tests.
![BandAlmaMaterPH](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/BandAlmaMaterPH.jpg)
From 1939 to 1971, Robert “Ace” Arthur was the director of the band. Under his leadership in the 1940s the Pitt Band developed a national reputation and was considered by some among the top collegiate marching bands in the nation.
The band during this period performed the halftime show of the
1956 Sugar Bowl
The 1956 Sugar Bowl featured the 7th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and the 11th ranked Pittsburgh Panthers. The game was played on January 2, since New Year's Day was a Sunday. Much controversy preceded the 1956 Sugar Bowl. Segregationists a ...
, and the band provided a presidential escort for president
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (born David Dwight Eisenhower; ; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American military officer and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, ...
at
Fort Ligonier
Fort Ligonier is a British fortification from the French and Indian War located in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, United States. The fort served as a staging area for the Forbes Expedition of 1758. During the eight years of its existence as a garrison, F ...
in 1958.
Arthur was succeeded by a director, Edmund Williams, who only stayed for one year, who was succeeded in turn by Donald E. Hower. Hower led the band from 1972 to 1985, and its numbers grew considerably under Hower in line with the rebirth of football program from the mid 1970s. Female musicians first joined the band in 1972, and the baton twirling
majorette
A majorette is a baton twirler whose twirling performance is often accompanied by dance, movement, or gymnastics; they are primarily associated with marching bands during parades. Majorettes can also spin knives, fire knives, flags, light-up ba ...
corps, the ''Golden Girls'', was added around 1975.
This incarnation of the band played at the
1977 Sugar Bowl
The 1977 Sugar Bowl was the 43rd edition of the college football bowl game, played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday, January 1. Part of the 1976–77 bowl game season, it matched the top-ranked Pittsburgh Pan ...
, where Pitt defeated Georgia to become the 1976 national champions.
O’Neil Sanford led the band from 1985 to 1995 and added a 16-member
color guard
In Military, military organizations, a colour guard (or color guard) is a detachment of soldiers assigned to the protection of Colours, standards and guidons, regimental colours and the national flag. This duty is so prestigious that the militar ...
. However, his time was marked by a decline not only in the fortunes of the football team, but also declining interest in the band—reflected in the falling numbers of marching musicians as the years went on, as well as the poor morale and discipline which were the hallmarks of his tenure.
Sanford was pressured to resign in 1995, because of both the perceived state of the organization as well as a little-reported scandal involving accounting irregularities in his music department. It was at this time that long-time assistant director
Jack R. Anderson
Jack R. Anderson was appointed Director of Bands at the University of Pittsburgh in 1995 after serving as assistant director at Pitt for 9 years. His responsibilities include directing the Varsity Marching Band, leading the Pep Band, and conduct ...
became director. Under Anderson the band grew once more, becoming one of the largest student organizations on campus. Notable performances under Anderson’s leadership included the
2005 Fiesta Bowl
The 2005 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, played on January 1, 2005, was the 34th edition of the Fiesta Bowl. The game was played between Utah and Pittsburgh, in front of 73,519 fans. It is notable for being the first BCS game to feature a team from a BCS ...
and the
2008 Sun Bowl
The 2008 Brut Sun Bowl, part of the 2008–09 NCAA Division I FBS bowl season, was played on December 31, 2008 at the stadium of the same name on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, Texas. The 75th annual contest pitted ...
. The band also celebrated its
centennial
{{other uses, Centennial (disambiguation), Centenary (disambiguation)
A centennial, or centenary in British English, is a 100th anniversary or otherwise relates to a century, a period of 100 years.
Notable events
Notable centennial events at a ...
under Anderson in 2011. On 10 September 2012, Anderson announced his retirement, effective at the conclusion of the 2012–2013 academic year.
His successor, Dr. Brad Townsend, was named on 31 January 2013.
Performances
![PittBandSept2011](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/PittBandSept2011.jpg)
The band plays at all home Pitt football games at
Heinz Field
Acrisure Stadium is a football stadium located in the North Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It primarily serves as the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) and the Pittsburgh Panth ...
and one away game per season.
They also play at any post-season bowl games and at campus pep rallies and university functions. A smaller pep band also travels with the team to many away games to perform in the stands.
Home Game Performances
![HTPatPittvsSyracuse](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/HTPatPittvsSyracuse.jpg)
The band begins playing two hours before kickoff with The Panther Prowl. The football team walks from a nearby hotel and must pass in front of the gate to Heinz Field. The band forms an arc in front of the gate and plays the university fight songs for the team and fans as they proceed to the locker room. The band then moves to the riverside concourse to play the music for the day's halftime show.
After these concerts, the band proceeds to play several concerts to the various pregame groups, such as the student tailgate at
Roberto Clemente Memorial Park Roberto Clemente Memorial Park is maintained by the Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in honor of Pittsburgh Pirates great Roberto Clemente. The park is located along North Shore Drive in the city's North Side, n ...
, a group at Grille 36, and occasionally for band alumni tailgates before lining up to parade back down North Shore Drive and into Heinz Field.
The band then performs their traditional pregame show in the stadium.
Performance Traditions
The Pitt Band pregame is always announced by the Herald Trumpets. This is followed by a performance by the
Pitt Drumline near the student section. After this, the entire band enters the field for the pregame show.
The band enters the field from two tunnels flanking the north endzone of Heinz Field. As the band enters, the two tunnels are engulfed in a white cloudy smoke to appear as though the band is emerging from the smoky entryway. The band then forms a large block.
The entire pregame show consists of "
Hail to Pitt
"Hail to Pitt" is the most traditional fight song of the University of Pittsburgh, which is commonly referred to as Pitt. The saying "Hail to Pitt!" is also the most traditional and commonly used slogan of the University of Pittsburgh and its athl ...
", the "
University of Pittsburgh Alma Mater
The alma mater of the University of Pittsburgh was adopted soon after the University changed its name in 1908 from the Western University of Pennsylvania to its current moniker. Lyrics were written by George M. P. Baird, class of 1909 and were se ...
", "
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the b ...
", the "
Victory Song", and "
The Panther Song." During the latter two songs, the band moves from their block formation and ends in the "Script Pitt" formation.
The band performs a different halftime show each home game. Traditionally the performances follow a general theme, such as a performer (e.g.,
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American Rock music, rock band formed in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey. It consists of singer Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarist Phil X, and bassist Hugh McDonald (American musician), Hugh McD ...
) or a current trend (e.g.,
Guitar Hero
''Guitar Hero'' is a series of music rhythm game video games first released in November 2005, in which players use a guitar-shaped game controller to simulate playing primarily lead, bass guitar, and rhythm guitar across numerous songs. Player ...
or a "Salute to Pittsburgh"). The music is arranged in-house by Dr. Mel Orange, so it is unique to the Pitt Band. An example is the
DragonForce
DragonForce are a British power metal band from London, England. The band was formed in 1999 by guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, and are known for their long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-themed lyrics and retro video game-influenced ...
song "
Through the Fire and Flames
"Through the Fire and Flames", often abbreviated as TTFAF, is a song by English power metal band DragonForce. The song is acclaimed as the most successful song by the band. The song was the lead single and opening track from DragonForce's third ...
," which was performed at several large games during the 2008 season, culminating at the
2008 Brut Sun Bowl.
In the stands during each game, the band performs a variety of stand "shorts," drum cadences, and longer arrangements of pop songs, with the shorts and cadences being arranged in-house. The cadences, shorts, and even select longer pieces, are often accompanied by movements like horn swings or jumping. A recent tradition involving these songs is the performance of
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American rock band from Garden Grove, California, formed in 1984. Originally formed under the name Manic Subsidal, the band's current lineup consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland, lead guita ...
's "
The Kids Aren't Alright
"The Kids Aren't Alright" is a song by the Offspring. It is the fifth track from the band's fifth studio album, ''Americana'' (1998), and was released as its third single. It became another top 10 hit on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart.
The so ...
" and the song "
Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)
"Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)", also referred to as "Bring It (Snakes on a Plane)", is the debut single by Cobra Starship, released in 2006 as the main single from the soundtrack to the film ''Snakes on a Plane''. In addition to Cobra Starship voc ...
" by
Cobra Starship
Cobra Starship was an American dance-pop band founded in 2005 by Gabe Saporta (ex- Midtown), and headquartered in New York City. He recorded the first album as a solo project, ''While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets''. Saporta later enliste ...
. Both involve a large number of movements, with each section typically having its own unique swings or dance. Off the field, these two songs are also played at parades, pep rallies, or other performances featuring the band.
The Band
Herald Trumpets
Founded in 1958, the Herald Trumpets are a
trumpet
The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitched one octave below the standard ...
section of the Pitt Band that performs prior to
Pitt football home games at
Heinz Field
Acrisure Stadium is a football stadium located in the North Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It primarily serves as the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) and the Pittsburgh Panth ...
. They are also sometimes used to usher in the
Pitt men's basketball team prior to their home games at the
Petersen Events Center
The Petersen Events Center (more commonly known as "The Pete") is a 12,508-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the Oakland neighborhood. The arena is named for philanthropists John Petersen and his wife Ge ...
.
Drumline
The Pitt Drumline, also known as the "Crew," is the percussion section of the Pitt Band. The Pitt drumline has a long tradition that stretches back to the mid-1960s. At the beginning of the 1979 Football season, the drumline marched as a unified unit in drills, instead of being split into four person squads, for the first time. This was due to the band hiring of Lorry Yednak as the Percussion Instructor and several members of the line having had experience marching in DCI corps. They desired a unified sound that could not be achieved with the line split in various locations over the field in numerous squads. At this time marching bells and Vibraphone were added but marched with the line instead of performing from a "pit." Due to all of the drums having a silver chrome finish, during this time the Drumline was known as the "Chrome Wall." At the conclusion of post-game cadences, all members of the line would hold both sticks in the air in their right hand and chant, "All Hail the Chrome Wall!" and then drop their sticks to the ground.
In 1985 the Drumline became known as “The Crew” after a riotous “Octoberfest” in August party. Members of the Crew became known by nicknames such as Rox, Little Beaver, Mysterious, and Curtis Blow. The Crew began a tradition of occasionally performing their intricate sequence of cadences at band festivals, sometimes accompanied by the Golden Girls and Color Guard. The first Crewhouse was established in 1987. New gold
Slingerland
Slingerland is a United States manufacturer of drums. The company was founded in 1912 and enjoyed several decades of prominence in the industry before the 1980s. After ceasing operation in the early 1980s, Slingerland was acquired by Gibson, w ...
drums were ordered for the 1986 season. The Crew also began the tradition of performing a fast introduction cadence written by section leader Chuck Lee “Garfield” followed by a rap beat influenced “Noise.” During the mid-late 1980s, Assistant Band Director David Moy and Drum Instructor Dan “Danno” Yadesky wrote the percussion section music providing a consistent and polished sound.
Golden Girls
The
majorette
A majorette is a baton twirler whose twirling performance is often accompanied by dance, movement, or gymnastics; they are primarily associated with marching bands during parades. Majorettes can also spin knives, fire knives, flags, light-up ba ...
corps of the Pitt Band are known for their gold-sequined outfits and for being the "Glitz and Glamour of the Pitt Band." In their inaugural 1975 season they were directed by Larry Cervi. Since then, the original fight song choreography has remained largely the same, adding in one and two turn-spin tricks. They have been under the direction of E Michael Bauldauf since 1991. In the early 2000s, the Golden Girls competed at AYOP, the National Baton Twirling Association championships, capturing the Collegiate Champion title four out of five years.
Colorguard
Also known as the "Navy Ladies," the Pitt Colorguard is the auxiliary section of the marching band. Founded in 1986, the guard adds visual effects on the field with flag work, dancing, and other various props. In 2014, the Pitt Colorguard added a rifle line to the guard, which is often featured during halftime shows. Currently at 25 members strong, the guard is the only section that has distinct pregame and halftime uniforms. In the 2016 season, the Pitt Colorguard celebrated their 30th anniversary.
See also
![1947bandHTPpepralley](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/1947bandHTPpepralley.jpg)
*
Hail to Pitt
"Hail to Pitt" is the most traditional fight song of the University of Pittsburgh, which is commonly referred to as Pitt. The saying "Hail to Pitt!" is also the most traditional and commonly used slogan of the University of Pittsburgh and its athl ...
*
Pitt Victory Song
The "Pitt Victory Song", one of the most popular and widely used fight songs of the University of Pittsburgh, is often played in conjunction with "Hail to Pitt" and the " Panther Song". It was originally written by former to students of the univer ...
*
University of Pittsburgh Alma Mater
The alma mater of the University of Pittsburgh was adopted soon after the University changed its name in 1908 from the Western University of Pennsylvania to its current moniker. Lyrics were written by George M. P. Baird, class of 1909 and were se ...
References
External links
*
Video
100 Years of the Pitt Band on YoutubePitt Band highlights
{{DEFAULTSORT:University Of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band
Musical groups from Pittsburgh
Musical groups established in 1911
University of Pittsburgh
Atlantic Coast Conference marching bands
1911 establishments in Pennsylvania