The Pitchforks of Duke University

The Pitchforks of Duke University
The 2018–19 Forks performing during the annual Parent's Weekend Fall Classic Show at Duke University, 2018
Background information
Also known as	The Duke Pitchforks The Pitchforks The Forks
Origin	Durham, North Carolina, United States
Genres	Collegiate a cappella
Years active	1979–present
Website	Official website

The Pitchforks of Duke University, commonly referred to as "The Duke Pitchforks" or just "The Pitchforks", is Duke University's oldest continuing a cappella group. (In the late 1960s, there was a previous Duke men's group called "Chanticleer" (not to be confused with the San Francisco "Chanticleer"). The Pitchforks constitute one of Duke's two current all-male ensembles.^[1] Founded in 1979 with four members of a Duke Medical School quartet, the Pitchforks have performed across the world; they have sung for the Chicago Bulls and Durham Bulls, performed for Duke Men's Basketball, showcased for the Queen of Jordan, and opened for artists such as Ben Folds (2009) and The Band Perry (2015).^{[2][better source needed]}

The Pitchforks have a long history of studio recording. They have released over 15 albums so far, two of which, "Bring It Back" (2006) and "Disconcert" (2008), won the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Male Collegiate Album. Seven of their tracks have been featured on the Best of College A Cappella (BOCA) compilation albums.^[3] The Pitchforks are best known for their rendition of "Black and Gold" (originally by Sam Sparro), which has over 2.5 million streams on Spotify.^[4]

From 1980 until 2013, the Pitchforks were led and mentored by Benjamin F. Ward (1948-2013) who served as both a creator and inspiration for the group. After his death in 2013, the Pitchforks got to work on an album to pay tribute to Ben and to reflect upon their future.^[5] The album, "Fall Asleep At Sunset", was released in December 2018.

History

The Pitchforks began singing together in 1979 and was officially chartered as a Duke University student organization in 1981. The founding officers consisted of: Robert S. Clarke, Frank E. Block, James Bulleit, Elliott McCrory, and Kurt T. Uphoff.^[6]

Dr. Benjamin F. Ward was asked to be faculty advisor of The Pitchforks in 1980. By its official chartering, Ward had become a full member, serving as their Music Director, a position which he held for four years. He sang with the group and formed friendships with many of its 200 alumni until his passing in 2013. Ward helped shape the music of The Pitchforks and integrate music traditions. Most notably, Ward began The Pitchforks' Gothic Christmas Show as a project which he directed, but the show has now been held annually for more than thirty years.^[7] Even since Ward's passing, the Pitchforks continue to put on the show to honor their mentor.^{[editorializing]}

The group has grown considerably in terms of repertoire over the past 30 years. At first, The Pitchforks primarily sang barbershop and traditional/folk music, such as country classic, "Carolina In My Mind" by James Taylor.^[8] As of 2019, their repertoire consists of a wide variety of music, spanning from old classics, such as The Beach Boys, to contemporary artists like Shawn Mendes and Ed Sheeran.^{[citation needed]} Their rendition of "Fireflies" by Owl City won the CARA for Best Male Collegiate Arrangement in 2010.^[9]

The Pitchforks perform frequently throughout the year, in dorms, around Duke's campus, and across the world.^[3] Most notably, The Pitchforks toured Mexico City in the Spring of 2019 and made live appearances on Mexican TV shows "Xe Bandamax" and "Montse y Joe". Most recently, The Pitchforks performed for Governor Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico during their Spring 2024 tour of Puerto Rico.

Philanthropy

The Pitchforks support a host of local organizations through hosting and performing at benefit concerts. A few prominent examples of the group's philanthropy are:

Charleston HALOS

The Pitchforks have an annual tradition of performing with the Plantation Singers in Charleston, SC to benefit Charleston HALOS.^[10] According to the HALOS website, they provide "assistance to abused and neglected children in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties and to their kinship caregivers. Through a variety of programs and initiatives, [they] help improve the lives of these children."^[11]

Scott Carter Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research

The Pitchforks also host benefit concerts right at home. Every year, The Pitchforks partner with Duke University Improv, the university's only improve comedy troupe,^[12] to put on a joint Valentine's Day Show. All of the proceeds earned from the show go directly to the Scott Carter Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research.^[13]

The Fine Arts Center (FAC) of Kershaw County

The Pitchforks also support endeavors in the arts. They make a yearly appearance at Kershaw County, SC's Fine Arts Center for FAC Fridays in order to increase awareness of the arts within the community, to help fundraise for the center's activities, and to provide entertainment to the Kershaw County community.^[9]

Notable alumni

• Benjamin F. Ward, American philosopher^[14]
• John Altieri, American Singer and Actor
• John Dear, American Priest and Peace Activist

Awards and nominations

Best of College A Cappella Appearances

Discography

The Pitchforks have now produced over 21 albums, each with a unique theme and texture. Most recent albums are available on streaming platforms.^[9]

• The Pitchforks of Duke University (1983)
• It's Not Rock 'n' Roll but I Like It (1984)
• A Few Good Cuts (1987)
• The Daze of Christmas (1988)
• Wild Pitch (1989)
• Up All Night (1990)
• Tonal Eclipse (1992)
• Underground (1994)
• Ninth Street (1996)
• Tastefully Done (1998)
• They Don't Even Know (2000)
• Bad for the Piano (2002)
• A Gothic Christmas (2003)
• Honestly (2004)
• Bring It Back (2006)
• Disconcert (2008)
• All In (2011)
• Refraction (2013)
• Camden Town - EP (2015)
• Perfect - single (2018)
• Too Good At Goodbyes - single (2018)
• Fall Asleep at Sunset (2018)
• Lost In Japan - single (2019)
• Back to Earth (2022)

Their entire discography can be found on RateMyMusic^[36] and Spotify.^{[4][better source needed]} Most recently they released their album "Back to Earth" which features singles such as "Perfect," "Too Good At Goodbyes," and "Lost In Japan".^{[citation needed]}

References