Who are The Cadets²?

Cadets² is a first year program offered by Youth Education in the Arts. This organization will consist of 128 young men and women from ages 16-25 who will be located in the Lehigh Valley and be a regional performing ensemble.  In addition it is a weekend only program.  The same Cadet curriculum that assists in supporting young people along their personal road towards greatness will be infused in the Cadets².  It is a different approach than The Cadets, due to the level of time commitment, but the corps will be managed very much the same as The Cadets. There will be an expectation of excellence, the clear intention that the image of The Cadets is maintained, and there is a promise from the organization that Cadets² will operate with the same degree of quality expected of all YEA! programs.
 
For so many, the time commitment and cost of a World Class drum corps just isn’t possible, the Cadets² program will allow brass, percussion and color guard performers a place to experience being part of The Cadets, but in a different capacity. They will still learn from some of the best teachers in the activity, they will have the infrastructure of YEA!’s team to provide much needed support, but of course, there are less financial pressures and less time concerns. 
 
From an organizational perspective; teachers will be able to contribute to both corps, equipment can be used by both, and instruments, vehicles will be passed between the two corps. Of note, Cadets2 will NOT wear the official Maroon and Gold uniforms of The Cadets. A different uniform, similar in style but not in color will be used for Cadets²

The creative team for the Cadets will be putting the program together for the Cadets².  The technical staff will be bringing the Cadet brand and in addition there will be a Cadet blood line present in the instructor team.  George Hopkins, CEO of YEA! put it very succinctly; “ As we lay out the foundation to Cadets², you can be assured this corps will have the best we can offer its membership in uniforms, equipment, staffing and of course, a creative edge.”