Pride of the Plains Marching Band celebrates new season 

As one of the most diverse and largest student organizations on campus, with a membership of 150 students from majors across campus, the Pride of the Plains Marching Band is celebrating its 94th season in 2021!  

Here’s what you can expect: 

The band will inject music, spirit, and energy into the Game Day experience starting in Gorilla Village east of the stadium 90 minutes before kickoff (5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game and 11:30 a.m. for a 1 p.m. game). 

There, the band ushers the football team into Champions Plaza along the walk from the Weede Building, playing crowd favorites ranging from “War” to drumline cadences. Along with the PSU Cheer Team and Crimson & Gold Dancers, the band entertains fans in a pep rally at Gorilla Village starting one hour before kickoff. 

The band performs a pre-game show that includes the Pitt State Fight Song, Welcome to the Jungle, America the Beautiful, and The Star-Spangled Banner. 

Halftime shows this season will feature a patriotic theme on Sept. 11, a Spanish theme for Family Day on Sept. 25, a rock theme for Homecoming on Oct. 16, and rock themes on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6. Throughout each game, the band will play pep songs in the stands. 

marching band stands

Fans also can hear the band at the Paint the Town Red Pep Rally in Downtown Pittsburg on Sept. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m., in the Homecoming Parade on Oct. 16, and in the Christmas parade on Nov. 29. 

If you’re near the practice field at Ford and Homer streets on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, and on Friday afternoons during game week, you can hear the band practice from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. The band is under the direction of Professor Doug Whitten.