There’s no word if a children's choir will perform as scheduled this weekend following the arrest of their director.
Doctor Bernard Schade is the founder of the Singing Boys of Pennsylvania Choir.
He was charged Wednesday with raping a 15-year-old boy at his home in East Stroudsburg back in 1996.
The Singing Boys group was scheduled to perform Sunday at a Lenten program at a church in Bradford County.
The sign is posted outside the East Smithfield Federated Church in East Smithfield, advertising the performance of the Singing Boys of Pennsylvania Choir and its sister-group, the Keystone Girls Choir on Sunday March 30.
But now the choirs’ founder, Doctor Bernard Schade is charged with rape and sexual assault for allegedly abusing a 15-year-old boy in 1996; a boy who police said was a member of the Singing Boys.
Church volunteer Bernie Petry said he doesn’t know if the concert will still go on.
He`s tried calling the singing boys with no luck.
“I just left a message at the phone number, the only contact that I have that`s out there right now. So we have no idea if they’re coming,” said Petry.
Petry arranged for the choirs to come to the church, located near Athens.
He`s hoping the children will still show up.
“It`s not the kids fault, if there`s a group or someone that can bring the kids here, that`s good for them,” said Petry. “If they show up we`ll have them.”
Still, Petry said not having the concert isn`t what people should worry about.
State police believe there could be more victims of Schade out there.
Petry said if that is true, it’s those children that should be the focus of concern.
“If there were victims they need to be prayed for and for the whole situation,” said Petry.
State police said the sexual abuse investigation of Doctor Schade is ongoing with the FBI assisting.