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 489 times

Berger, Sweeney & Ibitson

The Three Muchachos

2 files, last one added on Nov 30, 2005
Album viewed 290 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 414 times

Brian Adam

3 files, last one added on Oct 28, 2010
Album viewed 268 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 261 times

Dave MacKinnon

8 files, last one added on Dec 19, 2011
Album viewed 293 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 266 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 278 times

Gareth Skipp

2 files, last one added on Mar 16, 2009
Album viewed 254 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 239 times

Jamie Oatt

11 files, last one added on Jun 27, 2010
Album viewed 1799 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 226 times

28 albums on 3 page(s)

Random files - Individuals

John McAlpine in his uniform for the North Carolina State Pipe Band (Memorial Day, Raleigh, NC, 2022)341 views

Al Morrison, DM, Toronto Optimists, Rosedale (1961)572 views

John Shearer (2009)551 views

Warren Berger (1960)735 views

John McAlpine when he was in Boston Crusaders (1968 or 69)645 views

Bob Carell, Waterloo (Aug, 2005)1002 views

Frans Rood (2007)609 views

Phil "Crash" Hennings (1960)615 views

Last additions - Individuals

Phil and Betty Hennings (unknown)225 viewsJun 01, 2025

Lorne Ferrazzutti (1961)344 viewsFeb 14, 2024

Frans Rood with Mark Penberthy of the Bantams sitting on his bass drum (1962)256 viewsJun 10, 2022

John McAlpine in his uniform for the North Carolina State Pipe Band (Memorial Day, Raleigh, NC, 2022)341 viewsJun 02, 2022

Frans Rood and David Johns (2008) (they were Optimists bass drummers in 1962 and 1963)266 viewsFeb 24, 2022

John McAlpine when he was in Del, before a Christmas parade (1961)354 viewsSep 23, 2020

Barry Bell, drum major, and the Toronto Optimists (Nationals, 1960)527 viewsNov 18, 2016

Peter Jones, Optimists Alumni Drum Major (Waterloo, 2016)576 viewsMay 17, 2016