The Toronto Optimists' Photo Gallery

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

Home    Login
Home > The Old Days (Photos from our competitive years) > Our Roots

Scout Band


1953_or_54_scout_band_waterloo_music_festival_rev2a.jpg

The Toronto Optimists began as a Boy Scout Band in 1952. The band was founded by Bud Parker, the Scout Leader for the 18th Boy Scout Troop. Mr Parker used his own money to purchase the instruments. Over time, the Band changed homes and became the 157th Boy Scout Band.

15 files, last one added on Jan 06, 2024
Album viewed 386 times

Opti-Corps (the Optimist Trumpet Band)


1956_opticorps_cityhall_ver3_001-edit.jpg

While the official name of the band was the Optimist Trumpet Band, most people referred to them as Opti-Corps. In fact, almost 70 years later there are still people who refer to the Toronto Optimists as "Opti-Corps".

35 files, last one added on Nov 19, 2024
Album viewed 522 times

Danforth Tech Crusaders


danforth_crusaders_c.jpg

Toronto Optimists first instructors, Barry Bell and Lorne Ferrazzutti had been instructors at Danforth Tech for their Drum Corps, the Crusaders. When Barry and Lorne moved to the Toronto Optimists after the 1957 season, many members of the Crusaders followed them.

8 files, last one added on Nov 08, 2022
Album viewed 326 times

Western Tech


western_pg_1e.jpg

Toronto Optimists first instructors, Barry Bell and Lorne Ferrazzutti had begun their drum corps careers with the Western Tech Trumpet Band. When the Toronto Optimists was created and Barry and Lorne because the corps' first instructors, many band members from Western joined them.

8 files, last one added on Nov 02, 2024
Album viewed 6 times

4 albums on 1 page(s)

Random files - Our Roots
opti_corps_national_party.jpg
Opti-Corps National Party157 views
1957_ver1.jpg
Opti-Corps (about 1957)917 views
1953_scout_band_3b.jpg
Some members of the Scout Band. L-R: 1. Bob Bond, 2. Peter Coward, 4. Ed Nanni, 5. Jim Patten, 7. Al Latham, 9. Harry Clark, 12. Ben Woodley (1953)91 views
danforth_tech_cne_3_1957c.jpg
Danforth Crusaders (CNE, 1957)845 views
1955_1.jpg
L-R: Bob Cook, Ron Cook, Hector Roberts, Opti-Corps (1955?)639 views
lorne_western_with_trophy_d.jpg
Lorne Ferrazzutti with a drumming trophy (about 1954)20 views
1956_opti_corps_b.jpg
Henry Beben in suit on left with Opti-Corps (1956)279 views
1957_danforth_tech_color_a.jpg
Danforth Crusaders with Barry Bell as Drum Major (1957)89 views

Last additions - Our Roots
1957_phil_14_ver2c.jpg
Some of the trophies won by Opti-Corps18 viewsNov 19, 2024
western_pg_1e.jpg
Page from Western's yearbook showing some future members of the Optimists (1955)18 viewsNov 02, 2024
561100_wtcs_v2b.jpg
Western Tech Band (University of Toronto, about 1956)19 viewsNov 02, 2024
western_560800_wtcs_c.jpg
Western Tech Band (circa 1956)18 viewsNov 02, 2024
lorne_western_with_trophy_d.jpg
Lorne Ferrazzutti with a drumming trophy (about 1954)20 viewsNov 02, 2024
western_tech_band_560900wtcs.jpg
Western Tech Band (circa 1956)21 viewsNov 02, 2024
western_550500-wtcs_c.jpg
Western Tech Band (1955?)19 viewsNov 02, 2024
1955_Lorne_McIntyre.jpg
Lt D. F. McIntyre and Lorne Ferrazzutti (Western Tech, 1955)21 viewsNov 01, 2024