On, March On

The Bantam Optimists (Union Station, Toronto, 1960)

Planning for the Future

In the fall of 1959, Baggs made a decision that would have a lasting impact on the future of the Optimists. He decided to form a feeder corps. They would be called the Bantam Optimists and marching members of the junior corps would instruct them.

This would provide the junior corps with a way of replenishing membership. To demonstrate the depth of consistency throughout the Optimists’ drum corps organization, the Bantam Optimists, in the summer of 1960, captured the Canadian Novice Standstill title.

3rd Consecutive Title

The Optimists rolled through 1960 unscathed, capping the season with their third consecutive Canadian title. They added Meadowlands, a powerful new opening number, to their basically unchanged repertoire. Corps member Glen Durish took this song, added lyrics and it became the corps song which was sung before each performance.

The Toronto Optimists and the Bantam Optimists (Union Station, Toronto, 1960)