Taught numerous bands. 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. Morning Call reporter Laurie Mason Schroeder can be reached at 610-820-6506 or lmason@mcall.com. 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. [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 woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jello.. That might be because people are running their faucets to keep pipes from freezing. and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. After the hearing, Hopkins' lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers' stories. Brisk with west to northwest winds around 10-20mph gusting to 30mph.. Mostly cloudy with less wind and a few breaks in the clouds overnight. The corps was known not only for its talent but for its traveling to compete. In 2003, Yea! The defense maintains that the video is very different than what Beyer later told investigators and that the entire video is necessary to mount a proper defense. After the hearing, Hopkins lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers stories. 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. Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. 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. 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. ", She said she didn't file a rape report or inform the board of directors because Hopkins seemed "untouchable.". Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. Hopkins, 61, has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing. 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. The judge opined that this situation is very different than, say, a defendants statement to police, a full copy of which would be made available to the defense by the prosecution. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Cadets Does it Matter What You Wear? | by George Hopkins - Medium 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]. how enemies came to be friends. The judge did not issue a ruling from the bench on Bergstroms motion. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. The YEA! In February 2023, CAE announced a long-term partnership with the Erie Sports Center, resulting in a decision to move The Cadets and all operations of CAE to Erie, Pa. 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. 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. The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. There was an error processing your request. All Rights Reserved. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Shes four years removed from the corps now, and married. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. Most of the time, the individual is NOT an assistant but someone who would like to assist. The members and staff, however, were not willing to cease the corps operations, and reorganized as a new organization, even though the parish kept the uniforms and instruments.
Ex-Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. It wasnt rape and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. Midway through the 1959 season, the parish allowed the corps to once more wear the uniform that remains their trademark. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. [8] On April 11, the Board of Directors tendered its resignation and a new Board and officers immediately took over operations of the organization. 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. She told police that she passed out in his apartment and, when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. The former, longtime director of the Allentown Cadets competitive marching band entered a plea Thursday in a sexual assault case dating to 2018. Calhoun ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. I believe you, Calhoun said, I am worthless. Their biggest resource in that effort may be the very people who are speaking out. Folks were upset, nothing new, but this time, the anger took a more aggressive approach. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. [21] Committees were created in the areas of Health and Wellness, Equality and Inclusion, Performing Arts Education, Governance, and Finance. 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. [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. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening. Prior to 2000 and the adoption of the current scoring format, the Cadets won these captions: A History of Drum & Bugle Corps Vol. Abusers like Hopkins benefit from a culture of exclusivity and competition thats common in drum corps. 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. Genesis from Austin, Texas performs during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. "He's like, 'Are you all right?' 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.
Defense in sex assault case wants newspaper to hand over accuser's An online community dedicated to the marching arts, with a focus on drum corps. Charges were filed against Hopkins in November 2018, months after Youth Education in the Arts launched an investigation after about a dozen women accused Hopkins of sexual misconduct. He began as Director in 1983 What is clear ---I need an assistant. Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. YEA! There, she said, he gave her a glass of wine and sexually assaulted her. [17], The Cadets was formerly part of Youth Education in the Arts (YEA! has taken furt, Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. For the 1971 season, the corps stuck together, offering show promoters the five corps as a package. I was just going to say, check his will! Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. As temperatures have plunged this winter, water use has risen. The Cadets has long been one of the top programs, attracting teens and young adults from around the world. The Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps lost sponsors, donors and engagements because of sexual misconduct allegations against its then-director George Hopkins. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. 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. Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. [5] In January 2009, The Cadets marched in President Barack Obama's Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. I dont know a single person who marched drum corps and didnt have complaints.. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea.
Hopkins, George | WDCHOF New statement from Youth in Education in the Arts on Allentown Cadets If you forget to do a step-off, someones going to collide into you with a 20-pound tuba. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. 2; Steve Vickers, ed. But no one is irreplaceable. An order filed Tuesday in federal court says Hopkins and YEA have reached an agreement. And thats the sad part, those people that truly went through something hard, something life-altering and traumatic, are scared to talk about it..
George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. Hopkins, 63, is awaiting trial on three counts of felony sexual assault. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. Presidents of our country die Laura Masker-Holland and VP takes over and our country still goes on. The Cadets won additional DCI championships in 2005 and 2011, the corps' ninth and tenth in forty seasons.[3]. to take in order for its drum corps to participate in the upcoming 2018 DCI Summer Tour. "' The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . The prosecution on Wednesday did not take a position on the defenses request. He watched as several other members suffered avoidable injuries from being overworked with little rest.
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George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation "Dear George Hopkins, This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. It is clear that this is not something you are okay with. 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. 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. The Cadets Drum Corps (formerly the Holy Name Cadets, Cadets of Garfield, Garfield Cadets, and Cadets of Bergen County) is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. 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. She said Hopkins words on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 were a constant source of anxiety. (CAE). Cadets Drum Corps Sep 1982 - Apr 2018 35 years 8 months . (A similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) But if that is the consensus of the alumni maybe WE should ensure that there will be a future for the CADET organization! The lyrics are taught to new members each summer and sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum". Former drum corps director expected to plead guilty to sex assault charges, 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?