Success! separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts & Entertainment Inc. Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear, Report: Drum corps leader threw things at work, called women little girls, California residents do not sell my data request. Her twin sister, Linda Riley, also a Cadet, said Hopkins had sex with her without her consent two summers later, when she was 19. In 2003, Yea! The corps traveled to Chicago for Legion Nationals at the members' own expense. In the criminal case, prosecutors alleged 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. The Cadets Drum Corps -The Three Peat | by George Hopkins | Medium won with field programs that were, and still are, viewed as ground-breaking. 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. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. which will ALWAYS take priority over my work. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? Ex-Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins waives hearing on sexual creates new code of conduct after sexual harassment allegations, Fired! But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Error! Stuart Evan Rice said in an interview this week that he told Dan Acheson . The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins Two more women say they were raped by Cadets' George Hopkins - Inquirer.com as of March 31, 2020. 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. On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. Newspapers publish newsworthy items all the time, and they cant be dragged into court every single time a defense attorney wants to know what other information is out there, Berry said. 93 (Mvts. 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. Awaiting trial for sex assault, former Allentown bugle corps director The Alliance members felt that the corps should be making their own rules, operating their own competitions and championships, and keeping the bulk of the monies those shows earned. [19] On May 1, 2020, The Cadets announced the creation of a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization: Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc. One in four trooper positions are vacant. In my opinion, its impossible to march drum corps and not be broken in some way when you come out, because its a very rigorous physical and mental activity, said Calhoun, a former baritone. 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. Wyoming teachers are leaving. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. 253 votes, 88 comments. This is our director.". But with the end of 2015, other changes occured. Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 19682019). She said Hopkins words on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 were a constant source of anxiety. Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. She said he showed up at her apartment one morning, begged her for sex, then pushed her on the bed and raped her. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. The lyrics are taught to new members each summer and sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum". Ryan Macpherson, who hails from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, will start his work as dean of the college on Aug. 1. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. And thats the sad part, those people that truly went through something hard, something life-altering and traumatic, are scared to talk about it.. I just felt like, Well, youre right. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. 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. Renowned drum corps leader resigns amid abuse allegations And I never said no. Cadets Drum Corps Sep 1982 - Apr 2018 35 years 8 months . As temperatures have plunged this winter, water use has risen. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. 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 an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. I expect my final paycheck on October 18 which should include the agreed upon amount for moving expenses that has not been paid since starting in February 2017. He now is awaiting trial in Lehigh County on charges of sexually assaulting two of the women. Despite pressure on show sponsors, judges, and other drum corps, the corps were booked into a number of shows together. : p or should it be, willing away the cash cow?Someone sold our souls to this legacy (too) many years ago. YEA! Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli GH doesnt love the CADET Organisation he made himself an empire..to support him with his RV and 200K salary plus all the other extras.Laughing at everyone all the way to the bank.. Laura Masker I am not disagreeing with you as far as GH is concerned. Former drum corps director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. 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. 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. Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. Please subscribe to keep reading. Tips to help protect your smartphone from thieves, Outlast Forces Lone Wolf Contestants to Embrace Team Dynamics for Netflix Competition, Diego Luna: Andor Ending With Season 2 Is Really Important for My Mental Health. 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). wondering if he would be able to field and/or finance a corps, and ended 1983 Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. 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. In 1971, the Cadets marched a show they called, "No More War"; at VFW Nationals in Dallas. The Troopers arent the only prestigious drum corps hit with allegations in recent years. Since the crime occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. 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.". The negligence comes from a lot of places, Connell said. Youth Education in. They dont eat lunch until their section is perfectly lined up by twos. George Hopkins pleaded no contest in Lehigh. ; 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! 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. Advertisement Allentown News Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. To honor their 75th anniversary, the corps was called the Holy Name Cadets for the 2009 season. Please know, you lose many, many GREAT people because of the reasons I listed and more. 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. In her last season, she remembers a staffer being forced to resign after he was found to be sleeping with a member. 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. Folks were upset, nothing new, but this time, the anger took a more aggressive approach. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! Drum and bugle corps perform intricate routines that incorporate music, marching, dance and color guards. (YEA), the umbrella group that operates the Cadets and also serves 60,000 marching band . Two additional women, including Beyer, came forward within days to say they were also victims. April 13, 2018. George Hopkins on The Cadets 2017 Show | Marching Arts Education I wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of YEA! 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. 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. Falk said the women were in agreement with the plea deal. Michael Berry, attorney for the Inquirer, countered that the defense could interview Beyer on its own or cross-examine her at trial. I am not a Trooper, Im just a sack of meat, just sitting on the ground being worthless.. It took a summer without performances, said Connell, for people to step back and realize that what they thought was tough love was actually systemic negligence. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. reached a settlement in January 2019. Ex-Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault 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. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. 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 . DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. [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. Youth Education in the Arts governs the Allentown Cadets drum corps. The Govenaires, an all-age/senior corps founded in 1927, retain the title of oldest continuously active corps. CEO while denying the allegations. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny 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. I believe you, Calhoun said, I am worthless. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. George Hopkins Bio 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. She said the memories can, at times, still knock the wind out of me, but I get up., I dont just get up and go to work to hide my pain and put the abuse behind me, she wrote. After the hearing, Hopkins' lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers' stories. and USBands affects the lives of tens of thousands of students each year and I feel humbled to have played a small part in that. Genesis from Austin, Texas performs during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. 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. says every person associated with its drum corps programs must sign a code of conduct, , There's another twist in the ongoing investigation over sexual assault allegations targeting, Documents obtained by 69 News appear to show former Youth Education in the Arts CEO and Alle, The investigation into sexual misconduct allegations at the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle , The organization that oversees Allentown's famed Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. I want to see what else is in that video that is dramatically different than what she told detectives two months later, Bergstrom said. Shes four years removed from the corps now, and married. Hopkins: Briefly, after I personally assisted the project in 1996 (Chris Marino was the chairman of the board for the Crossmen), YEA! (CAE). "' The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . Also in '96, the Cadets performed at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. A Failure to Protect - Inquirer.com also sponsored the recently inactive 2016 DCA Champion Cadets2 Drum Corps, 2014 WGI Independent Open Champion Cadets Winter Percussion, and Cadets Winter Guard; USBands (formerly United States Scholastic Band Association); the Urban Arts Center of the Lehigh Valley, which included the Xcape Dance Studio.[18]. READ MORE: Nine women from Allentowns elite Cadets drum corps accuse director George Hopkins of sexual abuse and harassment. Not someone who wants to be an assistant. [15], In response to Hopkins suing YEA! Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. 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. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. Broke-down buses, Ibuprofen, and a sex offender: On the road with [10] On September 22, 2020, Hopkins pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation[14] and fined $5,000. The Cadets has long been one of the top programs, attracting teens and young adults from around the world. The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana 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. 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.. You have permission to edit this article. The group keeps up a grueling practice and travel schedule, performing throughout the United States. Overall, the deficit was about $200,000. Allentown Cadets director resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations But this isnt the military. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. He began as Director in 1983 In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. 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. And those folks do it without flinching. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. National Park Service encourages folks to never push a slower friend down in bear encounters, Jillian Balow, former Wyoming schools superintendent, resigns from new job in Virginia, Pressure on House speaker intensifies as Hageman, national voices weigh in, Wyoming's Jeff Linder coaching his heart out for his dad, seniors Hunter Maldonado and Hunter Thompson, Officials investigating death in Converse County, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Wyoming man admits to double murder, avoids possible death penalty, 2023 Wyoming State High School Boys Wrestling Championships results, Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help, Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps director resigns after allegations of unsafe culture, poor conditions, New Lutheran college in Casper announces academic dean. One possible side effect of the frigid temps? George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. You have permission to edit this article. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. Hopkins had worked for The Cadets since 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. 1, 2 & 4 / Grover's Corner (from Our Town) & Appalachian Spring, Symphony No. Through his attorney, Hopkins denied "any nonconsensual relations" with the sisters and also denied having "any relations whatsoever" with Lee Ann Riley while she was a minor. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. There, she said, he gave her a glass of wine and sexually assaulted her. The Cadets won additional DCI championships in 2005 and 2011, the corps' ninth and tenth in forty seasons.[3]. 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. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. Im angry. For the rest of the force, that means longer hours and fewer days off while earning less than peers . Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation, he could be sent to a state prison. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Watch this report from Action News at 4:30pm on April 6, 2018. Jackie Fritsche You beat me to it. 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. For more than 30 years, George Hopkins has been a major proponent of changes in instrumentation, education and contest guidelines, such as initiating the use of band instruments, electronics, removal of sidelines and other alternatives. That might be because people are running their faucets to keep pipes from freezing. The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. with the Cadets as DCI World Championsthe first eastern corps ever to hold [2][3], The Garfield Cadets relocated outside Garfield to Hackensack and became the Cadets of Bergen County in 1989. Error! I dont know a single person who marched drum corps and didnt have complaints.. how enemies came to be friends. Even snow plows and emergency vehicles were. 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. The Cadets - Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins A | Facebook I think from here on out, theres a new level and a new sense of accountability that we as alumni of the Corps are unified in making sure that these experiences dont happen again, said former Troopers color guard member Vanessa Connell. 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. Hopkins, 63, is awaiting trial on three counts of felony sexual assault. 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. [9] Claiming to have received no letter of resignation, the new board terminated Hopkins for cause. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? Defense in sex assault case wants newspaper to hand over accuser's George Hopkins. I get they try to model it like the military, and in the military, youre only as strong as your weakest link, Calhoun said. [20] A new Board of Directors was established, led by former CEO and Cadets Director Denise Bonfiglio. The Cadets began operating independently of YEA! "He's like, 'Are you all right?' 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. 1 / Adagio for Strings / Medea's Dance of Vengeance, The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) / Lincoln Portrait / Music for the Theater, Mvts. Hopkins attended Wednesdays proceeding but did not address the court. Taught numerous bands. Falk said the victims were in agreement with the plea negotiation. Did march in the band at West Chester University in Pennsylvania for one year. ", She said she didn't file a rape report or inform the board of directors because Hopkins seemed "untouchable.". 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. Caren Blundetto-Frech John Hannigan, is there more than one child? Consent matters.. for more than $650,000 in severance and back pay, the organization filed a counter-suit against the former director for $1.5 million in losses which it alleges to have lost due to the sexual misconduct scandal.

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