University of Pittsburgh Drumline - History

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.