University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band The University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band , or Pitt Band , is the college marching band at the University of Pittsburgh . The band includes approximately 250 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 ; however , Pitt has had discussions on building a new marching band facility . 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 . 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 to 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 . The band played the halftime show at the 1956 Sugar Bowl , and the band provided a presidential escort for president Dwight D . Eisenhower at Fort Ligonier in 1958 . Following Arthur ’ s retirement Donald Hower led the band from 1972 to 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 to 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 . The band played at the 1977 Sugar Bowl , where Pitt defeated Georgia to become the 1976 national champions . Following Sanford ’ s resignation in 1995 , long - time assistant director Jack R . Anderson served as director of the band . Under Anderson the band continued to grow and is one of the largest student organizations on campus . Notable performances under Anderson ’ s leadership included the 2005 Fiesta Bowl and the 2008 Sun Bowl . The band also celebrated its 100 year anniversary under Anderson during the 2011 season . On 10 September 2012 , Anderson announced his retirement , to be effective at the conclusion of the 2012 – 2013 academic year . His successor , Dr . Brad Townsend , was named on 31 January 2013 . 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 . A smaller pep band also travels with the team to many away games to perform in the stands . Home Game Performances . 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 . 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 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 . The Band . Herald Trumpets . Founded in 1958 , the Herald Trumpets are a trumpet 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 . 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 majorette corps of the Pitt Band known for the gold - sequined outfits . External links . Video