MARSHALLS CREEK — State police in the Poconos have arrested and charged a man with raping at least one member of the Singing Boys of Pennsylvania Choir.
The man accused of the sex assault is the founder of the organization.
Bernard Schade, 74, is accused of rape and sexual assault.
Investigators said Doctor Bernard Schade, the creator of the Singing Boys of Pennsylvania Choir, is now locked up on rape and other charges.
State police said the alleged abuse happened at Schade`s home on Marshall`s Creek Road in East Stroudsburg in 1996 when the victim was 15-years-old.
Investigators said at that time the victim was a member of Schade`s organization, the Singing Boys of Pennsylvania Choir, which Schade founded in 1970.
A neighbor at Schade`s home said he`s known Schade for years and was shocked to hear Schade is facing charges of rape and sexual assault and was too upset to talk on camera.
According to the Singing Boys website, the choir is based mostly in Monroe and Northampton Counties, but it has members from several other counties, including Lackawanna and Luzerne.
The choir has had more than 3,000 performances in the United States and an additional 300 in Japan.
Schade’s bio on the website shows he was also taught at both East Stroudsburg and Bucknell Universities.
Newswatch 16 did a story about Doctor Schade and his choir in 1990 when the organization celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Schade is being held on a $250,000 bail in Monroe County.
He has a preliminary hearing set for April 2.
State police said Schade is charged with sexually abusing one boy but believe more victims could be out there.
The FBI is also assisting in the investigation.
