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). 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. George Hopkins - Medium 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. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? She told police that she passed out in his apartment and, when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. 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. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. "For 86 years, The Cadets have been leaders and innovators in performing arts education," Bonfiglio said. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Fine time to ask me now. New statement from Youth in Education in the Arts on Allentown Cadets Their biggest resource in that effort may be the very people who are speaking out. The Cadets began operating independently of YEA! George Hopkins, the former director of the renowned Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps, appeared in a Lehigh County courtroom Tuesday morning and gave up his right to a preliminary hearing on . George Hopkins has been charged in Lehigh County with two counts of sexual assault. 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. 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. "[12] As a part of the terms of probation, the corps' reassessed their planned travel to the West Coast to open the season, and instead decided to proceed with a schedule redrawn for East Coast shows. Hopkins' accusers ranged from 16 to 37 at the time of the abuse and harassment they say they endured, including three who were members of The Cadets and five who worked for Youth Education in the Arts, the parent organization that Hopkins also led as chief executive officer until his resignation. 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. The Cadets - Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins A | Facebook Bergstrom said the Inquirer interviewed Jessica Beyer in April 2018 and publicly aired the four to five-minute video. 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Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. In her last season, she remembers a staffer being forced to resign after he was found to be sleeping with a member. On Friday, October 6, 2017, 10:08 PM, XXXX XXXX XXXX@XXXX.com wrote: This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. The woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jello.. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? The Cadets has long been one of the top programs, attracting teens and young adults from around the world. Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. 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.". 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. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. 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. 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. 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). Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office workers said he was a volatile, often verbally abusive boss. Hopkins, 61, has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. People are using more water. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. 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. [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. Prosecutor Matthew Falk, the offices chef deputy district attorney, said Beyer, the woman in the allegation dating to 2008, decided that not pursuing these charges are in her best interest, and we support her in that. The victim in the 2010 assault has asked not to be named. In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. It wasnt rape, and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. 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. DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. [2][3][4], In 1972, the Garfield Cadets, along with the nine other corps from the Alliance and the Midwest Combine, plus the Anaheim Kingsmen, Argonne Rebels, and De La Salle Oaklands were founding members of Drum Corps International, which remains as the sanctioning body for junior corps in North America. Hopkins had worked for The Cadets since 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. Charles Mura, Michael Koeph, and the Rev. U kunt uw keuzes te allen tijde wijzigen door te klikken op de links 'Privacydashboard' op onze sites en in onze apps. 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. Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. Taught numerous bands. Falk said the victims were in agreement with the plea negotiation. 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. "Dear George Hopkins, This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. Overall, the deficit was about $200,000. 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 amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. [8] On April 11, the Board of Directors tendered its resignation and a new Board and officers immediately took over operations of the organization. Im angry. The truth about George Hopkins : r/drumcorps - reddit With director gone, Troopers now face deep-seated culture of negligence 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. His credentials, his experience, his talents, his imagination, and his intellect are formidable. Michael Berry, attorney for the Inquirer, countered that the defense could interview Beyer on its own or cross-examine her at trial. George Hopkins, who led The Cadets to renown and a slew of national and world championships, stepped down from the Allentown-based group after Philly.com reported Thursday that nine women had. George Hopkins. 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. It wasnt rape and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. 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. 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. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. George Hopkins Resigns As Director Of Cadets Following Sexual Assault George Hopkins 260 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). 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. Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins It said it was reaching out to Youth Education in the Arts, and also planned an internal review to see whether any current members of the DCI staff knew about the allegations and failed to report them. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. The Scouts, however, have not competed on the field since 2015, making The Cadets the oldest continuously active junior corps. George Hopkins pleaded no contest in Lehigh. 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. But, as Connell says, the problem is much deeper than a couple of creeps. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps who was accused of sexual misconduct by a dozen women, pleaded no contest on Thursday to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years of probation. Never thought for once you were a liar!! She told police that she passed out in his apartment and when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. In 1987, the corps won its fourth DCI crown in five years. The prosecution on Wednesday did not take a position on the defenses request. Casper nonprofits can now apply for 1-cent funding through the city's official application process. to take in order for its drum corps to participate in the upcoming 2018 DCI Summer Tour. Two additional women, including Beyer, came forward within days to say they were also victims. There are so many other things that Ive witnessed as a marching member, but theyre not my stories to tell, Connell said. "I felt pressured and I felt cornered. 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. ), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Her twin sister, Linda Riley, also a Cadet, said Hopkins had sex with her without her consent two summers later, when she was 19. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one. Cadets Does it Matter What You Wear? | by George Hopkins - Medium The whistleblowers say they went public after receiving a feeble response from the Troopers legal team. The Cadets from Allentown, Pennsylvania perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. 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.. In a no-contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. 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. Advertisement Allentown News George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. The former, longtime director of the Allentown Cadets competitive marching band entered a plea Thursday in a sexual assault case dating to 2018. ", She said she didn't file a rape report or inform the board of directors because Hopkins seemed "untouchable.". The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. In 198385, the Garfield Cadets became the first DCI corps to earn a three-peatthree consecutive DCI titles. and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. 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"). In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. amid sexual allegations, Allentown Cadets board resigns amid allegations against ex-drum corps director, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. George Hopkins resigned as director of the Cadets, an elite drum corps based in Allentown, Pa., after nine women accused him of sexual misconduct. 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. A tuba player lost feeling in their right hand, he said, and wasnt treated until the next day. Never marched in high school band. 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. 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. Wij, Yahoo, maken deel uit van de Yahoo-merkenfamilie. Ex-Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins waives hearing on sexual 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 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 his federal lawsuit seeking severance pay and other monies, Hopkins asserts that he resigned from the organization by letter on April 5, and that his departure was "mutually agreed"-upon. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins settles with YEA on The Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps lost sponsors, donors and engagements because of sexual misconduct allegations against its then-director George Hopkins. 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. Some people may be able to give 12 hours a day to the cause, and that is great for them and you, but my life is outside of YEA! You have permission to edit this article. Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. [20] A new Board of Directors was established, led by former CEO and Cadets Director Denise Bonfiglio. Executive Director, Youth Education in the Arts Director, nine-time DCI World Championship Cadets D&B Corps Social Studies Teacher: Aston Township HS (PA) 1979-80 Band Director: Northern Highlands High School (NJ), 1984 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. George Hopkins Bio I cried a little bit," she recalled. 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. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. She marched from 2015 to 2017, around the same time as Calhoun. [9] Claiming to have received no letter of resignation, the new board terminated Hopkins for cause. Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no contest to indecent But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. Ex-Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. This is our director.". 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. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. The negligence comes from a lot of places, Connell said. Even snow plows and emergency vehicles were. But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. 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. has taken furt, Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. Error! Folks were upset, nothing new, but this time, the anger took a more aggressive approach. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. View George Hopkins' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. In 1998, the corps rebranded once again, dropping any reference to locale from its name and becoming simply The Cadets. Hopkins was also accused of sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown in 2008. 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]. Hopkins had been suing YEA for $650,000 in severance, vacation and expenses. The YEA! Thank you again for the opportunity and best of luck. 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. He began as Director in 1983 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. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins Caren Blundetto-Frech John Hannigan, is there more than one child? George has 7 jobs listed on their profile. Free Access to this video! 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. A statement issued late Thursday night by the YEA board of directors, the organization that operates The Cadets, an elite drum and bugle corps, said CEO George Hopkins denies the allegations but . CEO while denying the allegations. The Cadets won additional DCI championships in 2005 and 2011, the corps' ninth and tenth in forty seasons.[3]. 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. 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. You need to make sure that you are taking care of them. 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?
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