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 413 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 561 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 346 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 24 times

4 albums on 1 page(s)

Random files - Our Roots
1954_scout_band_56037b.jpg
18th Troop Scout Band, Pre-Optimists Scout Band (1954)541 views
1953_54_scout_band_img383.jpg
Scout Band that started it all (1953 or 1954)483 views
1957_opt_corps_article_from_globe.pdf
Article on Opti-Corps from the Globe and Mail (1957)284 views
davenport-scout-trumpet-band.jpg
Davenport Scout Trumpet Band (1951)1028 views
1957_opti_corps_2c.jpg
Mr Baggs with some members of Opti-Corps (1957)1045 views
western_pg_1e.jpg
Page from Western's yearbook showing some future members of the Optimists (1955)160 views
1953_scout_band_ver_2e.jpg
A few members of the 18th Scout Troop Band (1953)307 views
1957_ver1.jpg
Opti-Corps (about 1957)1062 views

Last additions - Our Roots
1957_phil_14_ver2c.jpg
Some of the trophies won by Opti-Corps127 viewsNov 19, 2024
western_pg_1e.jpg
Page from Western's yearbook showing some future members of the Optimists (1955)160 viewsNov 02, 2024
561100_wtcs_v2b.jpg
Western Tech Band (University of Toronto, about 1956)167 viewsNov 02, 2024
western_560800_wtcs_c.jpg
Western Tech Band (circa 1956)153 viewsNov 02, 2024
lorne_western_with_trophy_d.jpg
Lorne Ferrazzutti with a drumming trophy (about 1954)139 viewsNov 02, 2024
western_tech_band_560900wtcs.jpg
Western Tech Band (circa 1956)140 viewsNov 02, 2024
western_550500-wtcs_c.jpg
Western Tech Band (1955?)149 viewsNov 02, 2024
1955_Lorne_McIntyre.jpg
Lt D. F. McIntyre and Lorne Ferrazzutti (Western Tech, 1955)142 viewsNov 01, 2024