Charles Mura, Michael Koeph, and the Rev. He began as Director in 1983 This is the resignation letter from the director of USBands (a YEA program that helps fund The Cadets) and reveals some interesting information. George Hopkins pleaded no contest in Lehigh. Twelve women have told the Inquirer they were sexually harassed or abused by Hopkins over the nearly four decades he served as director of Allentown's famed Cadets, years during which he achieved rock-star-like status in the activity. Former drum corps leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge [17], The Cadets was formerly part of Youth Education in the Arts (YEA! With director gone, Troopers now face deep-seated culture of negligence New statement from Youth in Education in the Arts on Allentown Cadets At the first DCI World Championships in Whitewater, Wisconsin, the Cadets just missed making Finals and finished in thirteenth place in a competition that featured thirty-nine corps from the East, the South, the West Coast, the Midwest and Great Plains, and Canada. She said he showed up at her apartment one morning, begged her for sex, then pushed her on the bed and raped her. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening. established a hotline for calls to report concerns or complaints.[11]. 2; Steve Vickers, ed. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. 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. People are using more water. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? how enemies came to be friends. The amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). 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. George Hopkins on The Cadets 2017 Show | Marching Arts Education 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. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! Hopkins, George | WDCHOF With no 2020 drum corps season, Cadets Arts & Entertainment focused its attention on establishing clear policies, strict safeguards and strategic committees that meet regularly to help guide The Cadets forward. There, she said, he gave her a glass of wine and sexually assaulted her. 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. They became the 507 Hornets -- I marched there from 1971-1974. The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps - Wikipedia This time, people considered dramatic steps to change the face of the Cadets and for all time, to shift the trajectory of the most honored drum and bugle corps in history. Awaiting trial for sex assault, former Allentown bugle corps director Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office workers said he was a volatile, often verbally abusive boss. Casper nonprofits can now apply for 1-cent funding through the city's official application process. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. George Hopkins 260 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). After roughly a month of trying to leave, Calhoun said he finally did it in July, cutting his touring season short. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said. Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts and Entertainment Inc. in May, stating they lost $1.5 million in sponsorships, donations and ticket sales after the allegations against Hopkins were made public. 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. George Hopkins, the former director of Allentown's famed Cadets drum corps, was charged Tuesday with sexually assaulting two former employees, another striking turn in what had been an illustrious, four-decade-long career that took Hopkins to the top of the national youth activity. 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. Error! George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. 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. "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. This is the performing arts, you dont need to be like this.. After the hearing, Hopkins' lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers' stories. Calhoun marched in 2016 and 2017 before leaving the corps in July of his second year in the midst of mental and physical illness, compounded by the rigors of tour. She told police that she passed out in his apartment and when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. 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! The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. He resigned from his post in early April amid sexual assault allegations, but the YEA board said it was firing Hopkins. I felt so used.". Youth Education in the Arts governs the Allentown Cadets drum corps. Former drum corps director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault A tuba player lost feeling in their right hand, he said, and wasnt treated until the next day. What is clear ---I need an assistant. And I never said no. George Hopkins, former director of Allentown's elite Cadets drum and bugle corps, pleaded no contest to indecent assault after an Inquirer investigation revealed years of misconduct. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? 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. Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Casper Star-Tribune. The Cadets won additional DCI championships in 2005 and 2011, the corps' ninth and tenth in forty seasons.[3]. 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. With director gone, Troopers now face deep-seated culture of negligence. Falk said the victims were in agreement with the plea negotiation. Hopkins, 63, is awaiting trial on three counts of felony sexual assault. Critic: I warned drum corps executive about George Hopkins Renowned drum corps leader resigns amid abuse allegations On July 4, 1986 the Cadets performed as a part of the Liberty Weekend celebrating both the hundredth anniversary and the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. Caren Blundetto-Frech John Hannigan, is there more than one child? George Hopkins, the former CEO of the Allentown-based Youth Education in the Arts, faces three felony counts of sexual assault for allegedly assaulting two former employees. agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. Drum and bugle corps perform intricate routines that incorporate music, marching, dance and color guards. Consent matters.. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. [16] Hopkins and YEA! The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana Morning Call reporter Laurie Mason Schroeder can be reached at 610-820-6506 or [email protected]. The negligence comes from a lot of places, Connell said. Hopkins was forced out as director of the . Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. But if that is the consensus of the alumni maybe WE should ensure that there will be a future for the CADET organization! In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. 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. On Friday, October 6, 2017, 10:08 PM, XXXX XXXX [email protected] wrote: This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. This is art. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. As promised, here is Part 1, of an eight part interview/discussion with the designers and teachers of the Cadets 1983-84-85, the holders of the first Drum Corps International three-peat, and . (CAE). On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. 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. Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. Despite pressure on show sponsors, judges, and other drum corps, the corps were booked into a number of shows together. 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. Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 19682019). For those who outright pretty much called me a liar, Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli Thx you Caren Blundetto-Frech!! 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 Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Falk said the woman in the 2008 allegation decided that not pursuing these charges are in her best interest, and we support her in that.. In addition to The Cadets, YEA! The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins