Local Pittsburgh college students looking to join a marching band after high school may be wondering where they can have the fun of being in marching band again. Whether students attend the University of Pittsburgh or not, all students are allowed a chance to join their band. Three Point Park students have already gone through the audition process over the summer, and are now a part of the Pitt marching band.

James Barchetti, a freshman journalism major at Point Park, is one of the lucky few who has the chance to play quads in the drum line. According to Barchetti, there was a tough three-month audition schedule, and each section of the band has a different process. For drum line they had an audition in June that was just with staff. They had students play some exercises and other songs.

“There is a lot of culture in the band,” Barchetti said. “The marching band consists of 300 members and the majority of them are from Pitt, but many are from other schools like Point Park, Carlow and other schools in the city. If their school doesn’t have a marching band, then most likely they will let you audition with the cross register.”

While non-Pitt students are excited in continuing their marching band experience, Pitt students are welcoming to band members from outside universities. 

“It is a great opportunity for those people to be able to be a part of such a great organization, and to be able to meet people from another school,” Maggie Schmitt, a junior at Pitt, said. “The students from Point Park, Duquesne and other schools add a lot to our band and I am so thankful that we have them. Our goal is to create the best sound and presence that we can, and these students do an awesome job of making Pitt Band better.”

Chanelle Brown, a senior animation major from Point Park who has been in the band for four years advises other Point Park students who wish to join the Pitt band to always be aware of their surroundings, not to stress about things and to always communicate with professors and the director of the band. 

With the loss of the Oakland shuttle route, Brown recommends interested students to fill out cross-register papers for the band. Once accepted in the band, students should get a Pitt Panther ID card. She also says to take bus routes 81 or 83, as they drop off right at the Sports Dome for practices.   

Most marching band students are unaware that you can join the marching band at Pitt, as well as take some classes. If you would like to take classes, like a language course or one that isn’t offered at Point Park, all you have to do is go to the website and search “cross-register.”

Point Park and other students who are in the Pitt band can only go to home games, some away festivals, and playoffs if the team makes it.

The set for the Pitt band is a picture show including The Simpsons, The Flintstones and Sesame Street.

“The show will change after a few weeks,” Barchetti confirmed.