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 450 times

Berger, Sweeney & Ibitson

The Three Muchachos

2 files, last one added on Nov 30, 2005
Album viewed 271 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 394 times

Brian Adam

3 files, last one added on Oct 28, 2010
Album viewed 252 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 239 times

Dave MacKinnon

8 files, last one added on Dec 19, 2011
Album viewed 273 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 246 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 255 times

Gareth Skipp

2 files, last one added on Mar 16, 2009
Album viewed 237 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 219 times

Jamie Oatt

11 files, last one added on Jun 27, 2010
Album viewed 1777 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 197 times

28 albums on 3 page(s)

Random files - Individuals

Jacqueline Edna Nicholls (Welland, 2012)394 views

Pat Buttigieg/Tunney (1976)658 views

Dave Mackinnon (Feb, 2011)312 views

Lorne Ferrazzutti asks the big question: "Where's my other drumstick?" (2010)293 views

1965: Article on Barry Bell, Man of Ideals374 views

Barry Bell (Villanova, 2008)314 views

Dave MacKinnon instructing (Rochester, 2011)307 views

It's 1959 and Phil salutes you!525 views

Last additions - Individuals

Lorne Ferrazzutti (1961)131 viewsFeb 14, 2024

Frans Rood with Mark Penberthy of the Bantams sitting on his bass drum (1962)72 viewsJun 10, 2022

John McAlpine in his uniform for the North Carolina State Pipe Band (Memorial Day, Raleigh, NC, 2022)72 viewsJun 02, 2022

Frans Rood and David Johns (2008) (they were Optimists bass drummers in 1962 and 1963)65 viewsFeb 24, 2022

John McAlpine when he was in Del, before a Christmas parade (1961)127 viewsSep 23, 2020

Barry Bell, drum major, and the Toronto Optimists (Nationals, 1960)246 viewsNov 18, 2016

Peter Jones, Optimists Alumni Drum Major (Waterloo, 2016)288 viewsMay 17, 2016

Mike Grimes, Drum Major and Keith Gallacher, Assistant DM of the Seneca Optimists (Simcoe, 1978)415 viewsAug 12, 2014