The Toronto Optimists' Photo Gallery

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

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Home > The Old Days (Photos from our competitive years) > Our Roots

Scout Band

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 393 times

Opti-Corps (the Optimist Trumpet Band)

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 529 times

Danforth Tech Crusaders

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 333 times

Western Tech

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 11 times

4 albums on 1 page(s)

Random files - Our Roots

Bud Parker, Scout Master of the Scout band that preceded Optimists383 views

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)140 views