Renowned drum corps leader resigns amid abuse allegations. Cc: Youth Education in the Arts Board of Directors. 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. Shes four years removed from the corps now, and married. YEA rejects ex-director's resignation, fires him amid allegations, New twists appear in relation to former Cadets Director George Hopkins, Investigation underway into YEA! Never thought for once you were a liar!! During his tenure, Hopkins took the Cadets to 10 world championships and was an icon in the drum corps community. That might be because people are running their faucets to keep pipes from freezing. CEO while denying the allegations. Wij, Yahoo, maken deel uit van de Yahoo-merkenfamilie. A tuba player lost feeling in their right hand, he said, and wasnt treated until the next day. Calhoun ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. 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. George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. 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. Hopkins was also accused of sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown in 2008. She marched from 2015 to 2017, around the same time as Calhoun. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. Her husband, based on everything hes heard about drum corps from Connell, says he wouldnt let any of their children march. He began as Director in 1983 Hopkins attended Wednesdays proceeding but did not address the court. [2][3], In the second half of the Sixties, the Garfield Cadets became more of an also-ran than a champion. 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. (A similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) 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. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! With director gone, Troopers now face deep-seated culture of negligence Renowned former drum corps leader charged with sex assault | Fox News The Troopers arent the only prestigious drum corps hit with allegations in recent years. The corps traveled to Chicago for Legion Nationals at the members' own expense. 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. For members of the Casper-based Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, summer is hardly a vacation. In 198385, the Garfield Cadets became the first DCI corps to earn a three-peatthree consecutive DCI titles. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. Former drum corps director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault Cadets Does it Matter What You Wear? | by George Hopkins - Medium [5] In January 2009, The Cadets marched in President Barack Obama's Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. Morning call file photo/Special to The Morning Call, Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge calls him disgusting, Trump supporters who drove Hummer with guns and ammo to Philadelphia vote-counting site spared more jail time, Paul Muschick: Would money motivate Pennsylvania businesses to move to a four-day work week? The Cadets has long been one of the top programs, attracting teens and young adults from around the world. Bergstrom said the Inquirer interviewed Jessica Beyer in April 2018 and publicly aired the four to five-minute video. By The Morning Call PUBLISHED: November 14, 2018 at 1:05 a.m. | UPDATED: November 14, 2018 at 1:32 a.m. In 2003, Yea! wondering if he would be able to field and/or finance a corps, and ended 1983 Error! This is the performing arts, you dont need to be like this.. 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. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. They dont eat lunch until their section is perfectly lined up by twos. "For 86 years, The Cadets have been leaders and innovators in performing arts education," Bonfiglio said. If you forget to do a step-off, someones going to collide into you with a 20-pound tuba. Berry cited precedent in which a federal court found that the defense had not exhausted all other avenues for getting information before a media outlet was forced to hand over an interview. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. The CAE Board of Directors approved this decision on Monday evening, February 13, 2023. Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps members perform during the corps' 50th anniversary gathering in July 2011. An order filed Tuesday in. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. View George Hopkins' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Wanneer u onze sites en apps gebruikt, gebruiken we, gebruikers authenticeren, veiligheidsmaatregelen toepassen en spam en misbruik voorkomen, en, gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content weergeven op basis van interesseprofielen, de effectiviteit meten van gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content, en, onze producten en services ontwikkelen en verbeteren. The group keeps up a grueling practice and travel schedule, performing throughout the United States. 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. 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. Caren Blundetto-Frech John Hannigan, is there more than one child? Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one day off per month. 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. One former Youth Education in the Arts employee who spoke to Philly.com on condition that she was identified only by her first name, Marie, said Hopkins routinely harassed and assaulted her at work. Since the crime occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. Hopkins had worked for The Cadets since 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. 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. The group said it was taking steps to address the issues raised by past members, and has subsequently hired a new interim director. separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts and Entertainment Inc. Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. The judge did question how the defense would know if the witness impeached her own testimony on the stand, if it didnt know ahead of time what she may have said in an earlier interview. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. Allentown Cadets director resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation His credentials, his experience, his talents, his imagination, and his intellect are formidable. George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! 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. The. This amount of the lawsuit included recovery for lost sponsorships and pledged donations to The Cadets and YEA!, a major loss of participants in the US Bands program, as well as legal fees incurred due to the scandal. Defense in sex assault case wants newspaper to hand over accuser's video interview, George Hopkins' defense attorney wants access to the Philadelphia Inquirer's unedited video, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Thats if they make it onto the corps which is decided over several monthly training camps, between which corps hopefuls have to complete video assignments and track their diet and exercise. Please subscribe to keep reading. Not just for [the victim], but for all the women who are taken advantage of by predators like you, the judge said. "He's like, 'Are you all right?' I just felt like, Well, youre right. The Cadets - Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins A | Facebook Consent matters.. Rachael Ray Ending After 17 Seasons: Its Time for Me to Move On, Shania Twain 'uncontrollably fragile' after husband's affair, 48 Hours: Natalie Morales Reveals How Social Media Helped Solve Case, Uriah Heep believe they have 'some merit' to be considered for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame entry, Amanda Seyfried wants to a role in movie version of Mean Girls: The Musical, Aaron Taylor-Johnson joins Nosferatu remake. The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. The corps was known not only for its talent but for its traveling to compete. Casper nonprofits can now apply for 1-cent funding through the city's official application process. money, and members. Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. This is the resignation letter from the director of USBands (a YEA program that helps fund The Cadets) and reveals some interesting information. The charge to which Hopkins pleaded no contest stemmed from one victim who said she was sexually assaulted in 2010 at age 26, and who provided her account to The Inquirer in 2018. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). Folks were upset, nothing new, but this time, the anger took a more aggressive approach. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! And I never said no. Report clears former Cadets employee ensnared in boss's sexual Charles Mura, Michael Koeph, and the Rev. [17], The Cadets was formerly part of Youth Education in the Arts (YEA! [9] Claiming to have received no letter of resignation, the new board terminated Hopkins for cause. In 1969, the corps became coed. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps - Wikipedia [10] The organization also hired a Chicago labor and employment law firm, Franczek Radelet, to investigate the accusations against Hopkins as well as YEA!s policies and procedures for providing a safe environment for youth members, employees, and volunteers. They reportedly tried to convince the VFW officials that the peace symbol in their drill was actually the Mercedes-Benz logo. You can cancel at any time. George Hopkins Bio The dozen women who accused Hopkins of harassment ranged in age from 16 to 37 at the time of the alleged incidents, which dated to 1980. Chapter 5 Staff changes and letters to the board of directors . Allentown Cadets hit hard financially by sexual misconduct scandal This action was taken in reaction to the rigid, inflexible rules of the American Legion and VFW (the primary rule makers and sponsors of both corps and shows) and the low or nonexistent performance fees paid for appearing in the various competitions. This is art. The Govenaires, an all-age/senior corps founded in 1927, retain the title of oldest continuously active corps. Wyoming teachers are leaving. and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. There was an error processing your request. Hopkins, George | WDCHOF The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. 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. After the hearing, Hopkins lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers stories. In addition, YEA! how enemies came to be friends. Most of the time, the individual is NOT an assistant but someone who would like to assist. Cadets official statement. George Hopkins has resigned. He resigned his position in April 2018, but the YEA board rejected his resignation and fired him, citing the sexual misconduct allegations lodged against him. The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field in July 2018. Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. George Hopkins pleaded no contest in Lehigh. What is clear ---I need an assistant. For the 1971 season, the corps stuck together, offering show promoters the five corps as a package. Success! Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. amid sexual allegations, Allentown Cadets board resigns amid allegations against ex-drum corps director, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. But even after he was let go, Connell said he was still allowed around corps members who knew what had happened and had reported him to the administration because he was the organizations connection to the housing site where they were staying. [19] On May 1, 2020, The Cadets announced the creation of a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization: Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc. DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. 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. Edwin Garrity of the Holy Name Catholic parish in Garfield, New Jersey founded the Holy Name Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 1934 as an activity for the boys in the parish. It wasnt rape, and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. George Hopkins 260 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). YEA! Youth in Education in the Arts has issued a second statement on Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins' resignation that came after a Philadelphia Inquirer article on sexual allegations. 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. [15], In response to Hopkins suing YEA! In the criminal case, prosecutors allege Hopkins, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, sexually assaulted a former employee at his Allentown apartment after they met at a bar to discuss drum corps rules. I cried a little bit," she recalled. On the social media site Medium.com former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins writes: , Sexual assault charges have been filed against the former director of the famed Allentown Ca. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. Thank you again for the opportunity and best of luck. His arrival was fortuitous, because the Cadets were in crisis - lacking staff, Since the assault in the apartment occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. As a member of MAASINs whistleblowing committee, Calhoun helped compile six reports and publicized them in January. 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. We could soon find out, A windy, cloudy Saturday for the Lehigh Valley, but the sun will come out tomorrow, Six years after hazing death, Penn State plans to drop the Greek life oversight it championed. Error! An online community dedicated to the marching arts, with a focus on drum corps. There are so many other things that Ive witnessed as a marching member, but theyre not my stories to tell, Connell said. The YEA! He's due back in court in February. You need complete concentration on everything you do because if you dont, you could get someone else hurt or you can hurt yourself, Calhoun said. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening. I dont know a single person who marched drum corps and didnt have complaints.. Former drum corps director awaiting trial in sex assault case sues for severance, Former drums corps director pleads no-contest to 2010 indecent assault, Closure of YEA is final chapter in series of struggles over the years, Fire broke out in a Lower Macungie apartment building, Champions of Magic's Alex McAleer gives an exciting look at the upcoming live show, Pet of the Month: Nina from Ruff Life Rescue, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor needs volunteers, Allentown Public Library celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday with children's activities, Kindness Project teams up with Flavor Nation to give away free tacos, History's Headlines: The Lehigh Valley's music man, Berks County Parks invites people to their Winter Wellness Walk, Royals host "kids takeover" game where kids get a taste of the sports business, Wilson School students raise $83k to fight childhood cancer, Berks County Intermediate Unit receives $3.18 million in grants for Head Start programs, 'First in the nation' bill to provide free screenings for breast cancer to receive full Pa. Senate vote, Reading Area Water Authority looking for leak on North Heidelberg Township line, Former Penn State Berks soccer player among dead in violent Monroe County crash, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South, Ukraine ally Kallas fights for reelection in Estonia vote, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Pot vote has Oklahoma hungry to rake in green from Texas, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather, In Britain, warm hubs emerge to beat soaring energy costs, 6 Nigerian states drop suit to void presidential vote result, The implications of Walgreens' decision on abortion pills, What the Tech? ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- The longtime leader of a champion Pennsylvania-based drum and bugle corps has resigned in the wake of a newspaper report that contained allegations of sexual misconduct spanning nearly four decades. 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. The Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps lost sponsors, donors and engagements because of sexual misconduct allegations against its then-director George Hopkins. In 1940, the Cadets won the American Legion Junior National Championship in Boston, the first of a record nine Legion titles the corps would win between 1940 and 1964. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors withdrew two charges of felony sexual assault and added the indecent assault count, a misdemeanor, and Hopkins pleaded no contest to that charge. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. The women who accused Hopkins of harassment ranged in age from 16 to 37 at the time of the alleged incidents, which dated to 1980. [21] Committees were created in the areas of Health and Wellness, Equality and Inclusion, Performing Arts Education, Governance, and Finance. GEORGE HOPKINS 1983 - present George Hopkins, better known as "Hop" to his friends and marching Cadets, is the current Director of our corps, as well as the longest serving (25 years and still going strong). Even snow plows and emergency vehicles were. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office workers said he was a volatile, often verbally abusive boss. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. 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. George Hopkins, longtime director of the Cadets drum corps, resigns