Folks were upset, nothing new, but this time, the anger took a more aggressive approach. amid sexual allegations, Allentown Cadets board resigns amid allegations against ex-drum corps director, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. [13] The corps' compliance with the terms of probation was sufficient for DCI to allow the corps to compete in 2018, and the probation was lifted in May 2019. CEO while denying the allegations. 253 votes, 88 comments. [2][3], The Garfield Cadets relocated outside Garfield to Hackensack and became the Cadets of Bergen County in 1989. Ryan Macpherson, who hails from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, will start his work as dean of the college on Aug. 1. The rehearsal and performance grind wore him down, and he got little help from Jackson a former nurse aside from recommendations to drink coconut water and sit out a few reps. The group keeps up a grueling practice and travel schedule, performing throughout the United States. On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. Drum Corps International, the sanctioning body for competition youth drum corps events, said in a statement that it was "deeply concerned" by the allegations against Hopkins. Shortly after, more victims came forward, and the accounts of two of these women became the basis of the criminal charges brought in November 2018. II, III, & IV) by, The Pines of the Appian Way & The Pines of Villa Borghese by, Devotions: Kyrie Eleison, Simple Song, De Profundis, Agnus Dei, Things Get Broken, Pax: Communion, and Offeratory (all from Mass by Leonard Bernstein) with incidental music by Drew Shanefield, Tom Aungst & Omar Carmenates, O Holy Name (Traditional) / Opening Scene by Drew Shanefield, Tom Aungst, and Omar Carmenates / Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel / Sensemaya by, Adrenaline City by Adam Gorb / St. Louis Blues by, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990 (tie), 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1983, 1984 (tie), 1987 (tie), 1990 (tie), 1993, 1998, 1983, 1984 (3-way tie), 1985 (tie), 1987 (tie), 1995 (3-way tie), This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 17:00. The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Hopkins, the longtime director of the famed drum corps, resigned in April after nine women whose stories spanned four decades told the Inquirer and Daily News he had sexually harassed or abused them. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. READ MORE: Nine women from Allentowns elite Cadets drum corps accuse director George Hopkins of sexual abuse and harassment. The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. People are using more water. 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The whistleblowers say they went public after receiving a feeble response from the Troopers legal team. Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. On April 5, 2018, allegations were made in published reports that the longstanding corps director, George Hopkins, sexually harassed or abused multiple members of the corps and staff over a period of years. Calhoun ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. [22][23], At the annual World Championship Finals, Drum Corps International (DCI) presents awards to the corps with the high average scores from prelims, semifinals, and finals in five captions. They reportedly tried to convince the VFW officials that the peace symbol in their drill was actually the Mercedes-Benz logo. At 192 beats per minute.. Hopkins: Briefly, after I personally assisted the project in 1996 (Chris Marino was the chairman of the board for the Crossmen), YEA! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Casper Star-Tribune. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets and CEO of Youth Education in the Arts who separated from the organization after being accused of sexually harassing nine women, is suing YEA for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Four months after the director of Allentown's famed Cadets drum corps, George Hopkins, resigned amid a sexual misconduct scandal, the spotlight has now turned on another, smaller corps Pioneer of Milwaukee. The 36-year-old woman addressed Anthony and spoke about years of fear, shame and depression as a result of the crime, which she did not immediately report. Taught numerous bands. The negligence comes from a lot of places, Connell said. She said he showed up at her apartment one morning, begged her for sex, then pushed her on the bed and raped her. The corps was known not only for its talent but for its traveling to compete. These sort of militaristic rituals, paired with constant reminders about how grateful members should be for their spot on the corps, foster a culture of negligence that came to light last month when several former members went public with allegations, leading to the resignation of former corps director Kristy Jackson. [15], In response to Hopkins suing YEA! There was a problem saving your notification. She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. Her husband, based on everything hes heard about drum corps from Connell, says he wouldnt let any of their children march. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Instead, Beyer is very much in the public eye, and the defense is asking to see the entire video interview, not a reporters notes, he said. Hopkins was hired by The Cadets in 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. 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In written remarks later directed at Hopkins, she said she had joined the Cadets bright-eyed, eager, and innocently believing that through hard work and integrity most things were possible., Instead, she said, working for the Cadets meant being subjected to verbal and sexual abuse. The parent organization of the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps has settled part of a lawsuit by its former CEO George Hopkins over his salary and benefits after he was fired in the wake. Bergstrom said the Inquirer interviewed Jessica Beyer in April 2018 and publicly aired the four to five-minute video. The Troopers and other corps under the Drum Corps International umbrella are now left to reckon with the allegations brought against them on a deeper level, beyond personnel. In her 2018 account to The Inquirer, that woman, Jessica Beyer, said she had marched with the Cadets and was hired to work for the group the following year at age 22. George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. has taken furt, Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. Hopkins had been suing YEA for $650,000 in severance, vacation and expenses. It wasnt rape, and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. Also in 1971, the Garfield Cadets, along with the 27th Lancers, Boston Crusaders, Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights, and Blue Rock, formed the United Organization of Junior Corps (also known as the "Alliance"). Their biggest resource in that effort may be the very people who are speaking out. moved its base of operations to Allentown, Pennsylvania and The Cadets relocated along with it. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. Midway through the 1959 season, the parish allowed the corps to once more wear the uniform that remains their trademark. I know this sub loves a good Hop story, so here you go. The decision to leave wasnt easy, especially since the messaging within the organization encourages members to deal with the hardships or be seen as weak. In response to a question from Anthony, Berry said the paper would hand over the full video recording for the judges review only, if that was the courts ruling. His credentials, his experience, his talents, his imagination, and his intellect are formidable. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. I get up because Ive done the work to make myself whole and understand the evil that was done to me was not because of me, but because of you.. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. Many of the women who spoke to Philly.com said they felt empowered to come forward by the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct that has toppled powerful men in news and entertainment. YEA! The Cadets have won these caption awards:[25], John Brazale Best Visual Performance Award, George Zingali Best Color Guard Performance Award, Fred Sanford Best Percussion Performance Award. Presidents of our country die Laura Masker-Holland and VP takes over and our country still goes on. At one point, a staff member called members of his section worthless to their faces, because they couldnt march without passing out from untended injuries. [2][3], In the second half of the Sixties, the Garfield Cadets became more of an also-ran than a champion. Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts & Entertainment Inc. in May, stating it had lost $1.5 million in sponsorships, donations, and ticket sales after the allegations against Hopkins were made public in the 2018 Inquirer account. The Scouts, however, have not competed on the field since 2015, making The Cadets the oldest continuously active junior corps. (CAE). Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. An order filed Tuesday in federal court says Hopkins and YEA have reached an agreement. Steven Chirichella Richie has his gold uniform on him in his eternity as he lies in the heavens dont turn him blackplease oh Holy Name. Advertisement Allentown News In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. The Govenaires, an all-age/senior corps founded in 1927, retain the title of oldest continuously active corps. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one. The group said it was taking steps to address the issues raised by past members, and has subsequently hired a new interim director. You have permission to edit this article. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Also in '96, the Cadets performed at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. In her last season, she remembers a staffer being forced to resign after he was found to be sleeping with a member. Hopkins, 63, was accused of sexual assault and harassment by numerous women in a 2018 Philadelphia Inquirer article, and was criminally charged in connection with two alleged incidents later that year. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. George Hopkins, longtime director of the Cadets drum corps, resigns after sexual misconduct allegations April 6, 2018, 7:20 AM The decorated director of The Cadets drum and bugle corps. "' The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said, READ MORE: Report: Drum corps leader threw things at work, called women little girls. money, and members. Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. The lyrics are taught to new members each summer and sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum". Youth Education in. to take in order for its drum corps to participate in the upcoming 2018 DCI Summer Tour. Hopkins, 63, is awaiting trial on three counts of felony sexual assault. It is clear that this is not something you are okay with. After the summer of 2020, the first summer in years without a Troopers tour, Ian Calhoun said he started to hear from friends hed made at the corps who were interested in reporting some of their experiences to the advocacy group MAASIN (Marching Arts Access, Safety & Inclusion Network). "This is a painful moment for all those who care about The Cadets," Youth Education in the Arts, the nonprofit that runs The Cadets, said in a statement on its website. ; Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 17:00, United States Scholastic Band Association, "corpsreps.com The Drum Corps Repertoire Database", "Determination: Believing in the Midwest Combine", "Bang the Drum Slowly: A Championship Drum and Bugle Corps Leaves the State", "The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps: A history of alleged sexual abuse", "Statement from the Board of Directors of Youth Education in the Arts", "YEA! (A similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Defense attorney Thomas Bergstrom had previously filed a motion asking that The Philadelphia Inquirer provide the full and unedited video interview with one of Hopkins accusers that it had produced and published online. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. He watched as several other members suffered avoidable injuries from being overworked with little rest. 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But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! won with field programs that were, and still are, viewed as ground-breaking. The woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jell-O.. As one of the only returning baritones, he was offered the section head spot by Jackson but turned it down I thought I didnt deserve it.. The Troopers arent the only prestigious drum corps hit with allegations in recent years. The judge did not issue a ruling from the bench on Bergstroms motion. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving two women. Youth Education in the Arts governs the Allentown Cadets drum corps. creates new code of conduct after sexual harassment allegations, Fired! [21] Committees were created in the areas of Health and Wellness, Equality and Inclusion, Performing Arts Education, Governance, and Finance. participation in 2018 Summer Tour", "Cadets to forgo west coast portion of 2018 tour", "Ex-director of Allentown drum corps enters plea in sexual assault case", "Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge calls him 'disgusting', "Drum corps seeks $1.5 million from former director after sexual misconduct scandal", "George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation", "The Cadets Announce Independent Not-For-Profit Youth Organization", https://cadets.org/cadets-announce-move-erie-pa, https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/48381432/erie-sports-center-to-become-permanent-home-for-the-cadets-drum-corps, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Cadets_Drum_and_Bugle_Corps&oldid=1139537566, The Sinfonians by Clifton Williams / Give it One by, Advance of the Sponges by HIGGINS / Left Bank Express by Pete Jackson / Pieces of Dreams by Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman / Echano by Chuck Mangione / Strawberry Soup by, Rocky Point Holiday by Ron Nelson / In Nomine Patris, Almighty Father, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, God Said, De Profundis, Part 2 & A Simple Song, Maria, Rumble, Prologue, America, I Have a Love, & Tonight, Jeremiah Symphony, Overture to Candide & Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide), I Dreamed A Dream, At the End of the Day, Look Down, On My Own, Attack on Rue Plumet, Bring Him Home, One Day More & At the Barricades, In the Spring, When Kings Go Off to War; Ballet Sacra & On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss, Dance at the Gym, Mambo, Cha-cha, Cool, Prologue/Rumble, A Boy Like That, Tonight & Finale, The Reivers, Born on the 4th of July, Blowing Off Steam (from Far and Away), Swing, Swing, Swing (from 1941) & Land Race (from Far and Away), The Promise of Living (from Tender Land) by Aaron Copland / Tulsa: A Portrait in Oil by, Tapestry Of Nations, Prologue, Chaos and Meaning, The Sage of Time & The Promise, History Repeating by Alex Gifford / White Rabbit by, Rumble, Prologue, A Boy Like That-I Have A Love, Cool & Tonight, Symphony No. Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps who was accused of sexual misconduct by nearly a dozen women, pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation in Lehigh County Court on Thursday. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. The investigation into Hopkins conduct found he had little oversight from the Cadets board, giving him the freedom to throw things when angry in rehearsals, refer to women as little girls, and send inappropriate sexual emails on the organizations server. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. There was an error processing your request. [16] Hopkins and YEA! He followed that with eight additional DCI World Championships, most Its credits include the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, President Barack Obama's first inaugural parade, a reality TV show and "Late Night with David Letterman.". Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. The YEA! Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. The Crossmen of San Antonio, Texas perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. In a no-contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. that title. Second, I want to thank the USBands team for their hard work. George Hopkins, the director of The Cadets, talks about the 2017 show, "The Faithful, The Fallen, The Forgiven." George talks about the process of designing the show, the use of the singers, the three different uniforms worn by the corps, and about the issues the activity is facing around amplification Nine women from Allentowns elite Cadets drum corps accuse director George Hopkins of sexual abuse and harassment, he sued the organization for more than $580,000. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. An online community dedicated to the marching arts, with a focus on drum corps. The City of Erie welcomed The Cadets with open arms, offering access to local business relationships, services, volunteers, and new opportunities for funding and partnerships. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. You can cancel at any time. Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! I believe you, Calhoun said, I am worthless. Hopkins was also accused of sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown in 2008. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). Never thought for once you were a liar!! Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. There was upset from some people, as you can see, and others saw the progression as an effort to maintain the Cadets as an organization steeped in tradition but also very, very progressive when it came to new ideas, new concepts, and fresh presentations. 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. The women are among roughly a dozen connected to the Cadets organization who say they were sexually assaulted by Hopkins dating back to the 1980s. In both cases, the women say after meeting with Hopkins on business, they were drugged and sexually assaulted. Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, The Cadets was one of the thirteen founding corps of Drum Corps International (DCI), is a ten-time DCI World Champion, and is the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America.[1]. The CAE Board of Directors approved this decision on Monday evening, February 13, 2023. Through his attorney, Hopkins said he did not know who Marie is, but denied her allegation. Marched in the Holts Hornets from 1968-1970. Abusers like Hopkins benefit from a culture of exclusivity and competition thats common in drum corps. The judge set a Dec. 17 hearing on the defenses motion to dismiss the charges. In 2022, The Cadets entered into a partnership with the Erie Sports Center as the new spring training site for the corps' May-June rehearsals. Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. The woman addressed Anthony in court, telling him of years of fear, shame, and depression as a result of the crime, which she did not immediately report. Two more women say they were raped by George Hopkins, bringing to 11 the number who have accused the former drum and bugle corps director of sexual misconduct. The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana Free Access to this video! She said Hopkins' denials on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 he complained he had been smeared were a constant source of anxiety. [2][3], In 1958, the Holy Name parish declined to support the corps' travel and disbanded the corps. On November 13, Hopkins was indicted in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania for sexual assault, based on accusations of two women who are former employees of YEA. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer Never marched in high school band. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. But this isnt the military. George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. For those of you who do not follow the drum corps news, George Hopkins recently resigned as the director of the Cadets because of sexual misconduct allegations from nine women. To honor their 75th anniversary, the corps was called the Holy Name Cadets for the 2009 season. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. [8] On April 11, the Board of Directors tendered its resignation and a new Board and officers immediately took over operations of the organization. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. It comes from the higher-ups, it comes from the admin, it comes from the board of directors, it comes from the staff, the caption staff, the people that are in charge of putting on the show. But no one is irreplaceable. Hopkins, 61, has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing. The corps would fail to make DCI Finals for the first three years they were held and for six of DCI's first eight seasons. View George Hopkins' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. George has 7 jobs listed on their profile. Most of the time, the individual is NOT an assistant but someone who would like to assist. In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. George Hopkins resigned as director of the Cadets, an elite drum corps based in Allentown, Pa., after nine women accused him of sexual misconduct. Please know, you lose many, many GREAT people because of the reasons I listed and more.