History of the VMB

1911
The Pitt Band had its first performance at Forbes Field for the Pitt vs. Ohio Northern football game under the leadership of Carl Sabad. Originally, all eight members were male, outfitted in a scarlet cap with blue tassels and used borrowed instruments. 

1918-1934
Mario S. Rocereto acts as Director of Bands. 

1922 
The Military Department takes over the job of training the band and the uniforms are changed to the standard cadet style with a few embellishments. To be eligible for membership in the band, students had to be enrolled in the ROTC program.

1939 
Robert L. "Ace" Arthur, who had served as the assistant director since 1937, becomes the Director of Bands. His policy was to put "the best 120 musicians" on the field—no more, no less—and drill them hard. The "sameness of sound" that won recognition for the Pitt Band was achieved through sweat and hard practice. During his tenure, interest in the band was so great that a second band was formed, comprised of freshmen—hence the origination of the band's current name: the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band. Although he was named Director of Bands in 1939, his influence on the band truly began in 1945, upon his return from service in the Navy during World War II. While under Ace's tutelage, the VMB was considered one of the "Big Three" bands of the 1950s—along with the University of Michigan and the Ohio State University Bands. The VMB was widely referred to as the "Best Band in the East." 

1946 
Camp Kon-O-Kwee hosts the first of what now is a firmly established tradition of the VMB—Band Camp. Another tradition, Stadium Review, is staged for the first time at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. 

1958 
The VMB serves as the escort to President Dwight D. Eisenhower at Fort Ligonier. Ike was favorably impressed and stated to the Pitt Bandsmen in a letter that, "...your famous marching band..." more than lived up to its reputation. 

1959 
The tradition of the Herald Trumpet pre-game fanfare begins, reviving an old tradition from the 1930's of a trumpet fanfare prior to the band's stadium entrance. 

1960 
The VMB headquarters is moved from its original location, the eighth floor of the Cathedral of Learning, to the newly dedicated headquarters in Pitt Stadium. 

​

1964 
At the first football game of the season televised on NBC, the VMB performs the longest televised halftime show in history—15 minutes and 11 seconds. 

1968 
The VMB is the first ever to receive a standing ovation at the Orange Bowl in Miami. 

1971 
The Department of Bands is transferred from the Department of Athletics to the Department of Music. Ace is forced to retire because retirement is enforced at age 65 under department policy.

1972 
Women, who had already been playing in the concert band for several years, are admitted into the marching band for the first time, an event so controversial that 40 members quit and the Director of Bands was pressured to resign. Donald Hower is chosen to serve as the new director and holds the position until 1985. 

1974 
The VMB's famous majorettes, the Golden Girls, are instituted as part of the marching band.

​

​1981-1983 
The VMB accompanied the football team to three bowl games in a row—the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, and the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix. 

1985 
O'Neill Sanford arrives as the Director of Bands and serves until 1995. Upon his arrival, he institutes a new marching style and purchases new uniforms and instruments. The Color Guard is created and makes its debut performance at the 1985 Backyard Brawl—Pitt vs. West Virginia. 

1995-1996 
Jack R. Anderson is chosen to serve as the interim Director of the Bands after the resignation of Sanford. Jack's participation in the band dates back to the days when he accompanied the assistant band director, his father Dr. Jack B. Anderson, to games and carried Ace's suitcase around. He is officially appointed Director of Bands in spring 1996. During his first year, Jack instituted many changes harking back to Ace's era: a more military style of marching and a general increase in the pride that comes with being a member of the VMB. The band's other achievements under Jack's direction include two standing ovations at the Ohio State University Marching Band Skull Session in 1996, the first ever given to a visiting band in 20 years; the nomination for the Sudler Trophy, also in 1996; and the movement of headquarters from Bellefield Hall back into Pitt Stadium. 

1997 
The VMB travels with the football team to Memphis, TN, to perform at the Liberty Bowl on December 31st, 1997. This was the first bowl trip in nine years for the University. 

1997-1998 
The Golden Girls, under the direction of E. Michael Bauldauf, win the Grand National Collegiate Majorette Team Championship trophy at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. 

1999 
The VMB has the most ever marching members with a membership of 260. Pitt Stadium is demolished and the band moves its current home in the basement of Trees Hall. 

2000 
Pitt football games are played in Three Rivers Stadium. The VMB travels with the football team to Phoenix to perform in the Insight.com Bowl. 

2001 
Tau Beta Sigma awards Jack R. Anderson the Paula Crider Award, which is given 'to honor outstanding University Band directors who have distinguished themselves in the field of university bands...(who) have been supportive of Tau Beta sigma and its ideals."

2003 
The VMB travels to North Carolina to perform at the Continental Tire Bowl. 

2005 
The VMB travels to Tempe, Arizona to perform at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on January 1st, 2005. 

2007 
The National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity awards Jack R. Anderson, the Distinguished Service to Music Medal in the instrumental music education category. This is the highest honor given by either Tau Beta Sigma or Kappa Kappa Psi. 

2011 
The VMB celebrates its 100th birthday!

​​

2013
Jack R. Anderson retires from of Director of Bands at the University of Pittsburgh after 17 years in the position and a lifetime of serving the VMB. Dr. Bradley "Doc" Townsend takes over with Mr. Matthew "Deuce" Alosi as assistant.

​​

2015

The VMB appoints its first female assistant drum major, Samantha Gremler.

​

2016

The VMB reaches the largest membership in history with 305 members.

​

2017

E. Michael Baldauf retires as coach of the Golden Girls. Mia Krawczel is first feature twirler of the Golden Girls.

2019

Cristen Shannon is selected as the first female drum major.