The Toronto Optimists' Photo Gallery

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

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Scout Band


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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 413 times

Opti-Corps (the Optimist Trumpet Band)


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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 560 times

Danforth Tech Crusaders


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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 346 times

Western Tech


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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 23 times

4 albums on 1 page(s)

Random files - Our Roots
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Opti-Corps406 views
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Danforth Crusaders (1956 or 1957)250 views
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Danforth Crusaders (CNE, 1957)1114 views
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Opti Corps (1955)917 views
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Western Tech Band (circa 1956)149 views
1957_opt_corps_article_from_globe.pdf
Article on Opti-Corps from the Globe and Mail (1957)281 views
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Opti-Corps355 views
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Opti-Corps in front of a church with two instructors from 2nd Signals (Ross Wilson on the left and Bill Self on the right) (Islington United Church, 1956)250 views

Last additions - Our Roots
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Some of the trophies won by Opti-Corps122 viewsNov 19, 2024
western_pg_1e.jpg
Page from Western's yearbook showing some future members of the Optimists (1955)155 viewsNov 02, 2024
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Western Tech Band (University of Toronto, about 1956)162 viewsNov 02, 2024
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Western Tech Band (circa 1956)149 viewsNov 02, 2024
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Lorne Ferrazzutti with a drumming trophy (about 1954)135 viewsNov 02, 2024
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Western Tech Band (circa 1956)135 viewsNov 02, 2024
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Western Tech Band (1955?)145 viewsNov 02, 2024
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Lt D. F. McIntyre and Lorne Ferrazzutti (Western Tech, 1955)136 viewsNov 01, 2024