The famed Cadets drum corps relocated to Erie County in 2023. It won't compete in 2024.
The Cadets drum corps based at Erie Sports Center will not compete in 2024.
The nonprofit Cadets Arts & Entertainment announced in a news release late Friday that a review by the 17-member board showed that, while expenses were in line with expectations, fundraising did not meet goals for the year. The organization's fiscal year ends Oct. 31.
“Simply put, budgeted fundraising amounts did not materialize as anticipated, which has led to an unsustainable financial situation and concerns about providing a quality Cadets experience for 2024," board Chair John Broschak said.
Vicki Ferrence Ray, interim executive director since October 2022, has resigned. Brian Murphy remains corps director.
According to an IRS Form 990 filing made in April 2022, when the organization was still based in Allentown, total revenue in 2021 was nearly $1.31 million and expenses were nearly $1.07 million.
More: The Cadets drum corps made Erie its long-term home. What does that mean for the community?
What is The Cadets?
Cadets Arts & Entertainment relocated its operations and the drum corps this year to Erie Sports Center in Summit Township from its longtime home in Allentown. The deal with the sports center runs for 11 years.
The Cadets, founded in 1934 in New Jersey, is the oldest corps in the country. The corps has won 10 American Legion National Championships and more recently 10 Drum Corps International World Championships.
The ensemble comes together each year through a nationwide audition process that usually starts in the fall and tests applicants on musical, marching and dancing skills, the Times-News reported in June. Average member age is younger than 20.
After weeks of practice, The Cadets embark on a competitive tour that travels as much as 14,000 miles. This year they spent six weeks competing as far away as Texas, Atlanta and Massachusetts. They also participated in Lake Erie Fanfare at PennWest Edinboro.
What's next for The Cadets?
Lake Erie Fanfare has been gifted to The Cadets. Broschak told the Times-News in August it was likely The Cadets would take over starting with the 2024 event. It's unclear if Fanfare event organization and hosting will be affected by the suspension of competition.
“The care and concern for our students remains our top priority," Broschak said in the news release. "We would only have moved forward with the competitive season if we had the ability to provide a quality experience for our members, staff and volunteers. The CAE Board will continue to evaluate our path forward in the coming weeks."
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: The Cadets drum corps based in Erie PA won't compete in 2024
