University of Pittsburgh Marching Band
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| University of Pittsburgh Marching Band | |
|---|---|
| School | University of Pittsburgh |
| Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Conference | Big East |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Director | Mr. Jack R. Anderson |
| Members | 200+ |
| Uniform | blue pants with a gold stripe, blue and gold tops, and gold hats with blue plumes made of turkey feathers |
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. Pitt is currently planning to build a permanent marching band facility.
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[edit] History
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.[1] 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.[2] 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 committments to its membership from 22 men.[3][4] 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.[5] Uniforms were provided in 1912, including mackinaws, from a donation by Edward V. Babcock.[6] The band struggled in it’s early years until 1918 when italian immigrant Mario S. Rocereto was named director. Rocereto raised the standards of the band by adding new uniforms and making it try-out only. The band greatly grew and improved under Rocereto. Rocereto retired in 1934. From 1939-1971, Robert “Ace” Arthur was the director of the band. 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 and O’Neil Sanford led the band from 1985-1995. The band continued to grow under both of these men, 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, Jack R. Anderson has served as director of the band. Under Anderson the band has continued to grow and remains a popular and successful organization.
[edit] Performances
The band plays at all home Pitt football games at Heinz Field and one away game per season. They also play at any post season bowl games and at campus pep rallies and university functions.
[edit] Sections
[edit] Herald Trumpets
Founded in 1958, the Herald Trumpets are a trumpet section of the Pitt Band that performs prior to Pitt football games and is used to usher in the the Pitt basketball team prior to home games.
[edit] 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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