Toronto Optimists Logo

March On! ...the history of the

Toronto Optimists Drum & Bugle Corps

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Optimists' Photo Gallery

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

Home    Login
Home > Casual Shots > Individuals

Barry Bell


1960_nats_t041_09.jpg

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 534 times

Berger, Sweeney & Ibitson


berger_sweeney_ibitson_1960.jpg

The Three Muchachos

2 files, last one added on Nov 30, 2005
Album viewed 319 times

Bob Carell


bob_carell_circa_1965.jpg

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 447 times

Brian Adam


brian_adam_1977a.jpg

3 files, last one added on Oct 28, 2010
Album viewed 301 times

Dave Kirton


dave_nong.jpg

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 292 times

Dave MacKinnon


2011_reh_aug_20_dave_3849.jpg

8 files, last one added on Dec 19, 2011
Album viewed 327 times

Doug May/Toby Frechette


dougie_may_2010_3893.jpg

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 298 times

Frans Rood


frans_with_bantam_kid_on_drum_b.jpg

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 309 times

Gareth Skipp


gareth_2008_1167.jpg

2 files, last one added on Mar 16, 2009
Album viewed 282 times

Jack Roberts


2011_dca_dave_reh_4393.jpg

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 272 times

Jamie Oatt


jamie_2010_3730.jpg

11 files, last one added on Jun 27, 2010
Album viewed 1832 times

Joe Gianna


joe_gianna.jpg

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 258 times

28 albums on 3 page(s) 1

Random files - Individuals
frank_rood_1962.jpg
Frank (aka Frans) Rood (1962)1183 views
ron_cottrell.jpg
Ron Cottrell (2005)732 views
barry_jake_and_elwood_c.jpg
Barry Bell with members of his old band (the Blues Brothers)923 views
2010_march_stmikes_4182.jpg
Jamie Oatt (2010)727 views
terry_sweeney_1960.jpg
Terrence John O'Mally Sweeney (1960)1279 views
2008_dca_drum_majors.jpg
Our DMs, Vern Johansson and Brian Hogan (DCA, Rochester, 2008)864 views

Last additions - Individuals
phil_betty_unknown_c.jpg
Phil and Betty Hennings (unknown)370 viewsJun 01, 2025
1961_casual_t039_25c.jpg
Lorne Ferrazzutti (1961)487 viewsFeb 14, 2024
frans_with_bantam_kid_on_drum_b.jpg
Frans Rood with Mark Penberthy of the Bantams sitting on his bass drum (1962)390 viewsJun 10, 2022
john_mcalpine_2022-05-28_19-18-02_417.jpg
John McAlpine in his uniform for the North Carolina State Pipe Band (Memorial Day, Raleigh, NC, 2022)486 viewsJun 02, 2022
dave_frans_b.jpg
Frans Rood and David Johns (2008) (they were Optimists bass drummers in 1962 and 1963)401 viewsFeb 24, 2022
john_mcalpine_1961_del.jpg
John McAlpine when he was in Del, before a Christmas parade (1961)477 viewsSep 23, 2020