For some students here, college is not just about academics but about continuing their passion. Thanks to a cross registration program, students from here are able to participate in the University of Pittsburgh’s marching band. This allows the students to continue their love for music, even if Point Park may be unable to provide that opportunity.
Aurora Coy, a sophomore criminal justice major, is one of those students. She performs with the bass section as a tuba in Pitt’s marching band, a role she didn’t think she would be able to have when she first started looking at colleges.
“When I was first looking at colleges my senior year, I knew I wanted to still be in a marching band while in college. Although Pitt’s main campus didn’t have forensic science, which is what I was originally majoring in, I decided to go to my current school and be cross registered in band,” she said.
Coy has been performing music for ten years and has learned how to play eleven instruments. She explained what a typical Pitt game day looks like.
“We have a bass breakfast, a quick rehearsal, then travel to Acrisure Stadium, singing section tunes and shouting ‘It’s game day!’ along the way,” she said. “Before we run out, we do a bass chant that involves a lot of cursing. It’s so fun and gets us hyped up before we hit the field.”
Hailey Stoner, a junior SAEM major, also participates in band, but not with an instrument. Stoner, who grew up as a competitive baton twirler for 13 years, joined Pitt’s band as a one of the baton twirlers for the “Golden Girls.”
“I love my school, but there are no football games, and that’s where a lot of great college memories are made,” Stoner said.
“I’ve always wanted to twirl for a big university. Twirling is not something you can do professionally, so performing for a university feels like you’ve made it. When I found out I could join Pitt’s band while attending my school, it felt like the best of both worlds.”
Both students agree that balancing their academic commitments and Pitt band isn’t easy.
Stoner, who works at Starbucks and serves on the CAB Executive Board said this year has been tough.
“It’s been a huge learning experience with time management, but it’s worth it because I’ve had so many opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
Coy also shared similar challenges she faced but explained how the support from the band’s director helped.
“The directors are great about helping us with class conflicts, so we don’t have to worry about missing too much. It’s a lot to handle, but they make it possible.”
While this program is difficult, it has also given many students the chance to experience big university sports.
Stoner shared one of her favorite moments with Pitt’s marching band.
“Running out onto the field for the first time was amazing,” she said. “I went to an arts high school that didn’t have a marching band, so this was my first time twirling with a band. It felt like all the hours I spent in the gym over the past thirteen years finally paid off.”
Coy, whose favorite moment is running out of the tunnel on game day, said, “Running out with the smoke cannons going off and the Panther Pit cheering, it’s an incredible feeling. You really feel like part of something bigger.”
Both Coy and Stoner encourage other students to consider joining.
“If you’ve had a musical career before college, give Pitt’s band a try,” Coy said. “You’ll get to discover a whole new part of yourself.”
“It’s a lot of work, but every game day at Acrisure Stadium is so much fun,” Stoner said. “It’s definitely worth it.”
