University of Pittsburgh Marching Band
Encyclopedia
The University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band, or Pitt Band, is the college marching band
at the University of Pittsburgh
. The band includes over 200 instrumentalists, a majorette squad known as the Golden Girls, a color guard, and the University of Pittsburgh 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
, however Pitt is in the process of building a new marching band facility.
The earliest noted incarnation of a university band was in 1904 when it was named the Western University of Pennsylvania. It consisted of eight young men whose official uniforms were inexpensive caps. After a few years, uniforms made up of a derby hat
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
on October 14, 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
.
The band struggled in its early years, particularly during World War I
, 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 April 5, 1922 in the Carnegie Music Hall 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 members. Band uniforms were military-like with cross belts and members had to pass rigid musical aptitude and marching tests.
From 1939-1971, Robert “Ace” Arthur was the director of the band. In the 1940s, the Pitt Band developed a national reputation and was considered by some among the top collegiate marching bands in the nation. In 1955, the band played the halftime show at the Sugar Bowl
and in 1958, the band provided a presidential escort for president Dwight D. Eisenhower
at Fort Ligonier.
Following Arthur’s retirement Donald Hower led the band from 1972–1985. Women musicians first joined the band in 1972 and the baton twirling majorette
corps, dubbed the Golden Girls, was added around 1975. O’Neil Sanford led the band from 1985-1995 and a 16-member color guard
was added. The band grew considerably under both Hower and Stanford, partly due to the great success of the Pitt football team. In 1976, the band played at the Sugar Bowl
and Pitt defeated Georgia to become the national champions.
Since Sanford’s resignation in 1995, long-time assistant director, Jack R. Anderson
has served as director of the band. Under Anderson the band has continued to grow and is one of the largest student organizations on campus. Notable performances under Anderson's tenure have included the 2004 Fiesta Bowl
and the 2008 Sun Bowl
.
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.
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
, a group at Grille 36, and for the Pitt Band Alumni Council tailgate 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.
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 forms a large block.
The entire pregame show consists of "Hail to Pitt
", the "University of Pittsburgh Alma Mater
", "The Star Spangled Banner", the "Victory Song
", and "The Panther Song." During the latter two songs, the band moves from their block formation and ends in the contemporary block-lettered "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
) or a current trend (e.g., Guitar Hero
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
song "Through the Fire and Flames
," which was performed at several large games during the 2008 season, culminating at the 2008 Brut Sun Bowl
.
section of the Pitt Band that performs prior to Pitt football
home games at Heinz Field
. They are also sometimes used to usher in the Pitt men's basketball team
prior to their home games at the Petersen Events Center
.
corps of the Pitt Band known for the gold-sequined outfits.
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
. The band includes over 200 instrumentalists, a majorette squad known as the Golden Girls, a color guard, and the University of Pittsburgh drumline
University of Pittsburgh drumline
The University of Pittsburgh Drumline, also known as the "Crew," is a percussion section of the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band currently directed by Jack R. Anderson. The main function of the drum line is to provide the beat and percussive sounds for the University of Pittsburgh...
. 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
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 section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Designed by the architectural firm of Deeter & Ritchey, Trees Hall first opened in 1962, and a second phase of...
, however Pitt is in the process of building a new marching band facility.
History
Bowler hat
The bowler hat, also known as a coke hat, derby , billycock or bombin, is a hard felt hat with a rounded crown originally created in 1849 for the English soldier and politician Edward Coke, the younger brother of the 2nd Earl of Leicester...
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
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League franchise...
on October 14, 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
Mackinaw cloth
A mackinaw is a heavy dense water-repellent woolen cloth, such as Melton cloth. It was used to make a short coat of the same name, sometimes with a doubled shoulder. Mackinaw jackets were invented by Métis women in 1811, when John Askin, an early trader on the upper Great Lakes, asked them to...
, from a donation by Edward V. Babcock
Edward V. Babcock
Edward V. Babcock was a lumber industrialist who served as Mayor of Pittsburgh from 1918 to 1922.-Early life:Edward Vose Babcock entered the lumber business from an early age...
.
The band struggled in its early years, particularly during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, 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 April 5, 1922 in the Carnegie Music Hall 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 members. Band uniforms were military-like with cross belts and members had to pass rigid musical aptitude and marching tests.
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
and in 1958, the band provided a presidential escort for president Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
at Fort Ligonier.
Following Arthur’s retirement Donald Hower led the band from 1972–1985. Women musicians first joined the band in 1972 and the baton twirling majorette
Majorette (dancer)
A majorette is a person doing choreographed dance or movement, primarily baton twirling associated with marching bands during parades. It derives from girls', in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, involvement in drill and gymnastic teams or groups that used apparatuses similar to those found...
corps, dubbed the Golden Girls, was added around 1975. O’Neil Sanford led the band from 1985-1995 and a 16-member color guard
Color guard
In the military of the United States and other militaries, the color guard carries the National Color and other flags appropriate to its position in the chain of command. Typically these include a unit flag and a departmental flag...
was added. The band grew considerably under both Hower and Stanford, partly due to the great success of the Pitt football team. In 1976, the band played at the Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
and Pitt defeated Georgia to become the national champions.
Since Sanford’s resignation in 1995, long-time assistant director, Jack R. Anderson
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 conducting the Symphonic Band...
has served as director of the band. Under Anderson the band has continued to grow and is one of the largest student organizations on campus. Notable performances under Anderson's tenure have included the 2004 Fiesta Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
and the 2008 Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl
The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl...
.
Performances
The band plays at all home Pitt football games at Heinz FieldHeinz Field
Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively...
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
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
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, near Heinz Field and PNC Park.- External links :*...
, a group at Grille 36, and for the Pitt Band Alumni Council tailgate 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 DrumlineUniversity of Pittsburgh drumline
The University of Pittsburgh Drumline, also known as the "Crew," is a percussion section of the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band currently directed by Jack R. Anderson. The main function of the drum line is to provide the beat and percussive sounds for the University of Pittsburgh...
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 forms a large block.
The entire pregame show consists of "Hail to Pitt
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 athletics teams. The slogan is frequently used in...
", the "University of Pittsburgh Alma Mater
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 set to the tune of what was then the Austrian National...
", "The Star Spangled Banner", the "Victory Song
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. Few people know the rarely heard first portion of the song, before the chorus. Lyrics were by G. Norman Reis and...
", and "The Panther Song." During the latter two songs, the band moves from their block formation and ends in the contemporary block-lettered "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
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
) or a current trend (e.g., Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems and published by RedOctane for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It is the first entry in the Guitar Hero series. Guitar Hero was released on November 8, 2005 in North America, April 7, 2006 in Europe and June 15, 2006 in...
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
DragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
song "Through the Fire and Flames
Through the Fire and Flames
"Through the Fire and Flames" is a song by English power metal band DragonForce. The song is acclaimed as the most successful song by the band. The song is a single as well as the opening track from DragonForce's third album, Inhuman Rampage, and features rapid twin guitar solos by Herman Li and...
," which was performed at several large games during the 2008 season, culminating at the 2008 Brut Sun Bowl
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 Pittsburgh Panthers and the Oregon State Beavers....
.
The band
Herald Trumpets
Founded in 1958, the Herald Trumpets are a trumpetTrumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
section of the Pitt Band that performs prior to Pitt football
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
home games at Heinz Field
Heinz Field
Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively...
. They are also sometimes used to usher in the Pitt men's basketball team
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's basketball team competes in the Big East Conference and plays their home games in...
prior to their home games at the Petersen Events Center
Petersen Events Center
Not to be confused with Petersen Sports Complex.The John M. and Gertrude E. Petersen Events Center is a 12,508-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It hosts the men's and women's Pitt Panthers basketball teams...
.
Drumline
The Pitt Drumline, also known as the "Crew," is a percussion section of the Pitt Band. The Pitt drumline has a long tradition that stretches back to the late 1970s.Golden Girls
The majoretteMajorette (dancer)
A majorette is a person doing choreographed dance or movement, primarily baton twirling associated with marching bands during parades. It derives from girls', in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, involvement in drill and gymnastic teams or groups that used apparatuses similar to those found...
corps of the Pitt Band known for the gold-sequined outfits.
See also
- Hail to PittHail 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 athletics teams. The slogan is frequently used in...
- Pitt Victory SongPitt Victory SongThe 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. Few people know the rarely heard first portion of the song, before the chorus. Lyrics were by G. Norman Reis and...
- University of Pittsburgh Alma MaterUniversity of Pittsburgh Alma MaterThe 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 set to the tune of what was then the Austrian National...