The Pitt Band continues to be one of the most visible and energetic forces on campus, bringing spirit, pride, and tradition to every home game, campus event, and community performance. With more than 270 members, our program is stronger than ever, and as we grow, so do the needs required to support our student musicians.
This year, support from our community has already helped us take exciting steps forward. Thanks to donor generosity, our trumpet section is now performing on brand new Yamaha Xeno trumpets, elevating both the sound of the band and the student experience. We also secured an entirely new space, the Band Room Annex, which has transformed the way we rehearse, store equipment, host visitors, and collaborate as a program. This page is filled with pictures and video testimonials to show just what these two new additions mean to our program!
From upgraded instruments to expanded facilities, these enhancements directly impact every student in the Pitt Band program, from the football field to the concert stage. Your support during Pitt Day of Giving helps ensure that we can continue improving the tools, spaces, and opportunities that allow our musicians to perform at their best.
Gifts made to the Championship Fund directly support the Pitt Band and its annual goals. Contributions help us continue upgrading essential equipment, enhancing spaces like the Band Room Annex, supporting instrument refurbishment, supplementing travel needs, and addressing program priorities throughout the year. One of our goals next year is to purchase new trombones, and YOU can help us with that!
By giving, you empower our students, strengthen our sound, and help the Pitt Band continue its tradition of excellence.
Hail to Pitt!
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Elevating Our Sound with Yamaha Xeno Trumpets
This year, the Pitt Band reached an exciting milestone: the arrival of brand-new Yamaha Xeno trumpets, a transformative upgrade made possible through the generosity of our supporters. Known for their rich tone, powerful projection, and responsive design, these instruments have already made a noticeable impact on our sound and the student experience.
Our trumpet section members were the first to feel the difference. From stronger ensemble clarity to greater individual confidence, the Xenos are helping our musicians perform at an even higher level both on the field and in the concert hall. And it’s not just the students who are impressed. Dr. Mel Orange, our Associate Director and Arranger, has praised the Xenos for elevating the band’s overall sound and giving our players the tools they need to excel.
Below, hear directly from our students and Dr. Mel as they share how these new trumpets have shaped the Pitt Band experience.
Expanding our Possibilities with the Band Room Annex
Gallery: (2-18-2026) Band Room Annex
This year brought another exciting milestone for the Pitt Band with the addition of the Band Room Annex, a brand-new space that has already transformed the way our program operates every day. Previously a gym located right beside our original band room in Trees Hall, the Annex has quickly become an essential extension of our home base.
With dedicated areas for small ensemble rehearsals, student meetings, instrument storage, and even hosting visiting high school bands, the Annex has given our students room to collaborate, create, and prepare like never before. The benefits have been immediate, from smoother gameday flow to expanded rehearsal flexibility and more accessible space for every member of the program.
And no one understands its impact better than Lou Rusiski, our General Operations Director, who has seen first hand how the Annex strengthens the efficiency and daily operations of the Pitt Band.
Below, hear directly from our students and Lou as they share how the Band Room Annex has elevated our operations, enhanced our community, and opened new doors for our musicians.
Breathing New Life Into Our Percussion Section
This year, the Pitt Band uncovered a hidden gem in our old storage area: a long-retired xylophone and a full set of timpani that had been waiting for a second chance. Thanks to the generosity of supporters contributing to our Championship Fund, both instruments were fully refurbished, repaired, and revived, returning to active use for the first time in years.
These restored instruments are now back in action in Trees Hall, giving our percussionists access to high-quality equipment that enriches practice, performances, and student learning. What was once forgotten in storage has become an asset our musicians use daily, strengthening both our sound and our educational opportunities.
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