March On! ...the history of the

Toronto Optimists Drum & Bugle Corps

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Toronto Optimists' Photo Gallery

Photos of the Toronto Optimists, the Seneca Optimists, the Optimists Alumni and many others!

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Barry Bell

Barry's been with Optimists since its inception. For much of the time he was the corps' horn instructor. In the eyes of many, Barry is the heart and soul of Optimists. Finally, with the Alumni corps, he can actually play a horn (baritone)!

Did you know that Barry designed the original Corps uniforms as well as the Optimists logo?

21 files, last one added on Nov 18, 2016
Album viewed 428 times

Berger, Sweeney & Ibitson

The Three Muchachos

2 files, last one added on Nov 30, 2005
Album viewed 255 times

Bob Carell

Bob marched with Toronto Optimists from 1963-67. He carried a flag in '63 (usually the Optimists club flag). From 64 through 67 he played soprano. In June 2004 he joined the alumni corps and is, once again, learning to play. This time around he started on Alto then moved to Mellophone.

8 files, last one added on May 12, 2008
Album viewed 372 times

Brian Adam

3 files, last one added on Oct 28, 2010
Album viewed 238 times

Dave Kirton

As a junior, Dave was with York Lions. These days he spends time with us and time in Thailand (but mostly Thailand).

3 files, last one added on May 23, 2007
Album viewed 218 times

Dave MacKinnon

8 files, last one added on Dec 19, 2011
Album viewed 250 times

Doug May/Toby Frechette

Those of you who know him from Toronto Optimists and Seneca Optimists know him as Doug May. Those in the Alumni corps know him as Toby Frechette. By either name, he's the same good-hearted and good-natured guy.

6 files, last one added on May 04, 2010
Album viewed 229 times

Frans Rood

Frans started in Columbus Drum Corp in 1957 where he played Tenor Drum/Bass. In October 1960 he joined Optimists Drum Line as Bass Drummer and left the Corps at the end of 1963. In 1967 he was the Corps photographer and CDCA Photographer. He joined the Alumni Corps in Nov. 2005

5 files, last one added on Jun 10, 2022
Album viewed 235 times

Gareth Skipp

2 files, last one added on Mar 16, 2009
Album viewed 222 times

Jack Roberts

Jack played lead soprano in 1963. Later on, he designed and instructed drill for the corps.

4 files, last one added on Sep 11, 2011
Album viewed 201 times

Jamie Oatt

11 files, last one added on Jun 27, 2010
Album viewed 1753 times

Joe Gianna

Joe marched with Toronto Optimists from 1958-63, played solos and, later, instructed Optimists' horn line. Currently he is a solist with the Alumni Corps.

7 files, last one added on May 17, 2014
Album viewed 177 times

28 albums on 3 page(s)

Random files - Individuals

John and Denise McAlpine (2008)368 views

Joe Gianna (Buffalo 2009)223 views

Mike Arsenault, Toronto Optimists DM (1973)446 views

Lorne Ferrazzutti in the early 60s, perhaps268 views

Barry Bell with corps flag and ?? (1961)337 views

Bob Carell caught like a deer in the headlights of a car! Sisters get. and keep, those photos we want to forget. (1963)529 views

John Shearer (2009)225 views

Eric McConachie (Waterloo, 2006)473 views

Last additions - Individuals

Frans Rood with Mark Penberthy of the Bantams (1962)15 viewsJun 10, 2022

John McAlpine in his uniform for the North Carolina State Pipe Band (Memorial Day, Raleigh, NC, 2022)16 viewsJun 02, 2022

Frans Rood and David Johns, Optimists bass drums in 1962 and 1963 (2008)21 viewsFeb 24, 2022

John McAlpine when he was in Del, before a Christmas parade (1961)57 viewsSep 23, 2020

Barry Bell, drum major, and the Toronto Optimists (Nationals, 1960)185 viewsNov 18, 2016

Peter Jones, Optimists Alumni Drum Major (Waterloo, 2016)229 viewsMay 17, 2016

Mike Grimes, Drum Major and Keith Gallacher, Assistant DM of the Seneca Optimists (Simcoe, 1978)343 viewsAug 12, 2014

L-R: Roy Wilson of Conqueror & Scout House with Joe Gianna of Optimists (2012)301 viewsMay 17, 2014