University of Pittsburgh Bands
Volleyband
The Pitt Volleyband plays for the ACC Champion and NCAA Final Four Pitt Women's Volleyball Team. The Volleyband's presence adds to the competitive environment of Victory Heights as we cheer on our Panthers! Many great new traditions have spawned from Volleyband, including a post-game rendition of "Snakes on a Plane" where the volleyball team shows us their best dance moves! Volleyband players will have the opportunity to travel with the team to the NCAA Tournament. Auditions are open to all undergraduate and graduate musicians on campus, even if they are not members of the marching band.
Volleyband Benefits
Audition Materials and Procedures
Woodwind and Brass Players
Auditions will be comprised of two components:
-
Chromatic Scale ascending and descending (full range achievable by student) - to demonstrate range/dexterity
-
A prepared piece of music: "Ain't No Other Man". You will perform the piece in its entirety.
AUDITION MATERIALS HERE
Percussionists – Battery Percussion
Battery percussion consists of the following 4 instruments:
Auditions will be comprised of three components:
-
Victory Song (full song)
-
Hail to Pitt (full song)
-
Cold-Hearted (full song)
Sticks and other equipment will be provided for the audition.
Please note that if you are in the marching band, a battery percussion audition is not required if you want to play battery percussion.
AUDITION MATERIALS HERE
Percussionists – Drum Set
Auditions will be comprised of three components:
-
Victory Song (full song)
-
The Kids Aren't Alright (full song)
-
Snakes on a Plane (full song)
You will be asked to drum along to recordings of the 3 songs listed above. There is no official sheet music for drum set, but you may look at the battery percussion parts and listen to recordings to get an idea of the style.
AUDITION MATERIALS HERE
This is the first round out of two rounds for drum set auditions. Applicants who successfully pass the first round will be invited a final round of auditions where they will drum with the rest of the Volleyband. This audition will take place in the evening of Wednesday, August 26th, 2026. Additional details will be communicated to those who advance to the final round.
Please note that if you have played drum set for an athletic band in the past (either volleyball or basketball), you do NOT have to re-audition for drum set.
Audition Sign Ups
Volleyband Auditions will take place at Trees Hall in the Band Room and/or Band Room Annex during the week of August 17-22. Additional days and times will be offered on August 24-25. Woodwind and Brass Players will audition in the Band Room or Band Room Annex and Percussionists will audition in Band Room Annex. To view available times and sign up for your audition, visit the Microsoft Bookings Page below.
SIGN UP FOR AUDITIONS HERE
If you are unable to audition during any of the available time slots, please contact Mr. Buckstein at mbuckstein@athletics.pitt.edu.
Need an Instrument?
If you need an instrument for auditions, please contact Mr. Buckstein at mbuckstein@athletics.pitt.edu. We have a limited number of university instruments that may be signed out to practice for the audition.
How Do I Get to the Band Room?
The Band Room and Band Room Annex are located in Trees Hall on Upper Campus, and can be tricky to find. Please watch the video linked HERE to help you find the Band Rooms! There are also signs hung up around Trees Hall to assist as well.
Volleyband Requirements
Teamworks (TW)
Once accepted to the Volleyband, you will be added to the Teamworks platform. All communication (as well as various other things) will be done on this platform. Information about how to join Teamworks will be provided upon the completion of a successful audition into the Volleyband.
Performance Requirements
All home games and post-season travel as available. If you cannot perform at a game, you must procure a sub on your part to play in your place. You may get subs for as many games as you need in order to stay eligible for your scholarship. However, it is important to note that excessive use of subs may impact travel eligibility.
Travel
If travel opportunities arise, the travel band will be chosen based on a combination of the following factors: instrumentation, seniority, number of games played, and audition scores.
Subbing Procedure
-
Same instrument, same part – in extreme circumstances, substitutions outside your section may be permissible (for example, alto sax for mellophone since they often play the same part). Please contact a director to obtain permission for unique substitutions.
Game Day Procedures
Dress
Music
Bring your Uniclip and phone to every performance.
Call Times
Please note that call times and warm up spaces are currently being negotiated due to our move to Victory Heights. We will finalize these closer to the season once we have all the necessary information!
Volleyband Schedule
All games will be at Victory Heights unless otherwise indicated. Please note that anything in yellow is a game over the academic break and is not a required performance. It may be covered by a high school band, or we may put together a band of students, alums, and anyone who can play. If you end up playing this game, it will count as a "bonus" towards your total required games. We will send out more communication about break games as we get closer.
Please note that we will have a required rehearsal for all Volleyband members on Wednesday, August 26th from 5:30-7 pm!
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Date
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Day
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Opponent
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Time
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Notes
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8/26/2026
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Wednesday
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REHEARSAL
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5:30-7 pm
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Field House
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8/28/2026
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Friday
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Kansas
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6:30 PM
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Petersen Events Center
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8/30/2026
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Sunday
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Wisconsin
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12:00 PM
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Petersen Events Center
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9/11/2026
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Friday
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Jacksonville
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7:00 PM
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|
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9/13/2026
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Sunday
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Wright State
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1:00 PM
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|
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9/25/2026
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Friday
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Cal
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7:00 PM
|
|
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9/27/2026
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Sunday
|
Stanford
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8:30 PM
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|
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10/7/2026
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Wednesday
|
SMU
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7:00 PM
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|
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10/16/2026
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Friday
|
Florida State
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7:00 PM
|
|
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10/18/2026
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Sunday
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Miami
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12:00 PM
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|
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11/6/2026
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Friday
|
Duke
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7:00 PM
|
|
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11/8/2026
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Sunday
|
North Carolina
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1:00 PM
|
|
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11/11/2026
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Wednesday
|
Notre Dame
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7:00 PM
|
|
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11/15/2026
|
Sunday
|
Louisville
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5:00 PM
|
|
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11/28/2026
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Saturday
|
NC State
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1:00 PM
|
Break Game
|
NCAA Tournament: December 3rd – December 20th
For questions, contact:
Dr. Brad Townsend, Director of Bands
btownsend@athletics.pitt.edu
or
Mr. Michael Buckstein, Assistant Director of Bands
mbuckstein@athletics.pitt.edu
