Toronto Optimists: 1964

1964 was a challenging year. The fact that few outside the corps were even aware of of our struggles indicates the depth of the corps and why it was a champion.

Many members, including our drum major, aged out or left at the end of 1963. In fact, a major part of the horn line was gone. The Optimists Bantams closed down and many of their members joined us. Andy Henderson, who'd been our guard captain, became our Drum Major. He was joined by Vern Johansson who had been Drum Major of the bantams.

We began the year with about 30 guys carrying horns, not all of them playing; however, by year end we were fielding 34 horns and all of us were playing well enough to win a seventh National Championship. 1964 wasn't a great year from a winning perspective but it was an outstanding re-building year.

The photo shows our drum majors, Andy Henderson and Vern Johansson leading the corps down Yonge St. in Toronto (1964)

This above photo was taken somewhere in the US mid-west.

Here are a few memories of 1964

• we got a mellophone and were the first Canadian corps to use them. It was played by Larry Greenwood and used for the 3rd soprano parts. At year end it was shelved.
• I have a vague recollection that we did the unthinkable and had to cancel an exhibition show in Hamilton in June (does anyone else remember this)
• new summer parade uniforms, short-sleeved and cotton. They were a real god-send when we did the 100 mile Milwaukee Circus parade in temperatures that soared into the high 200s (well, maybe I exaggerate a bit). I do remember following elephants (and what they left behind) and, when we stopped for breaks, inserting ice cubes into our shakos in an attempt to stay cool. I also remember being very impressed with Jeff Shimotakahara who perfectly hit the 16 count high "G" at the end of It's Legitimate each and every time we played the number.
• Winning in Shawinigan, QC where the trophy was so large that Vern Johansson fit in the trophy case!
• and, of course, once again winning Nationals!

This photo was taken during our 1964 tour to the US mid-west. School had just ended when we headed out for to begin our summer adventures. The trip took us all of the way from Racine, WI to Menominee, MI.

For a number of guys the highlight of the Menominee show was spending the night in jail. No, they hadn't done anything wrong. There just weren't enough people to billet all of the corps members and the jail was offered as a possible solution. What a place to spend the night!

This photo, taken in the US mid-west, shows the corps in our summer parade uniforms. 

Here's an article on the Optimists taken from the April 23, 1964 issue of the Toronto Telegram (6.8 mg Acrobat File).

Special Notice

We want to add a page of memories for each year of the Toronto Optimists, the Seneca Optimists and the Optimists Alumni. This page is an example of what we are trying to create. We hope that these pages will help to rekindle pleasant memories of years gone by. As a result, what we're trying to gather are corps-related memories specific to a particular year, rather than "generic" memories that would apply to all years. It's not necessary to write a whole year's worth of memories since the contributions from different people can be merged together to form the web page. Once we have the material, we wil compile these memories into a web page for that particular year and post that page on the website.

If you have other memories of this year, or any other year, that you would like to submit, please send an email to Bob Carell (toronto_optimist at rogers.com)