The Optimists Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Our Members & Staff
The entries on this page are sorted by First Name, then Last Name.
This page will probably be a continual work-in-progress. We wanted to have photos of each corps member, together with a few words to indicate the corps with which they marched and the dates.
If you see a name that's missing or if have some words to add or a better photo to use, please email Bob Carell (toronto_optimist at rogers.com)
Our Members
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Al Miller Cymbals |
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Andrew Flood Quads |
Andrew started playing Trap set at a young age. As a fan of AC/DC he began playing their music and eventually moved onto bands like Bullet For My Valentine.
His sister and father joined the Kawartha Kavaliers and Andrew joined about a year later. He started off on cymbals then moved to bass and now plays quads. |
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Barry Bell Baritone |
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Bill Kane Baritone |
Bill marched with Toronto Optimists from 1965-1969. In addition he's instructed, Toronto Optimists, St. Johns, Brantford, and the Optimists Alumni. Bill's been in the Alumni Corps since its inception. |
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Bill Thomas Brass Instructor |
Bill's connection with the Optimists goes back to 1977 when he played soprano with the Seneca Optimists. Currently, Bill is a Professor of Music and the conductor of the wind Symphony at York University
in Toronto. He is a graduate of the jazz program at Humber College and holds a Masters in Composition from York
University and is presently Associate Chair of the Music Department at York.
Bill taught music for twenty-three years at the elementary and high school levels spending most of that time as the head of the music department at Markham District High School. He is a former Drum Corps International adjudicator and he has been active as an arranger for over forty marching bands and drum & bugle corps in Canada and the United States. |
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Bob Carell Mellophone |
Bob joined the Toronto Optimists in late 1962 and marched with them until 1967. He started out in the guard, usually carrying the Optimist Club flag. In 1964 he joined the horn line, playing soprano. During the 1976 and 1977 seasons Bob drove
the equipment truck for the Seneca Optimists, helped out with feeding the ravenous hordes, etc.
Bob joined the Alumni Corps in 2004 playing Alto. Since 2008 he he has played Mellophone. In addition to being a playing member Bob manages both the website and the photo gallery and is on the editorial staff of Grey Capsule Comments. |
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Brian Adam Baritone, |
Brian marched with Seneca Optimists in 1977. Most recently he played with the Empire Statesmen. |
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Brian Byrne Support Staff |
Brian began his drum corps career playing French Horn with Grantham Drum & Bugle Corps from 1960 to 1965. He joined the Toronto Optimists in 1966 playing French Horn in both 1966 and 1967. He played Mellophone in
1968 and 1969.
Brian has been a member of the Alumni Corps since its inception. During this time he has been Corps Treasurer, served as Drum Major (2005) and he is on the editorial staff of GCC. |
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Brian Collingdon Baritone |
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Brian Flood Quads |
Brian began his drum corps career in or around 1968 with the Scarborough Firefighters in their drum line. In the 1970/71 season he was chosen corpsman of the year. He stayed with them until he was 18 years of age. He left the drum corps world at that time but maintained playing a trap set, in and out of rock bands. He still plays a trap set.
In 2007 he rejoined drum corps as a Kawartha Kavalier. He played bass drum, tenor, quads and snare with the Kavaliers. On January 8, 2012 he joined the Optimist Alumni Drum Line where he plays quads. |
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Brian Hogan Associate Member |
Only drum corps ever belong to - the Optimists. Marched 1969 to '73. Instructed drill for two years. Charter member of Optimists Alumni. Played baritone and selected to be Drum Major for 2007. |
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Carol Munro Bass Drum, |
I marched in Optimist Lancers for 5 years as a Snare drummer and in Oakland Crusaders for 5 years on Keyboards. I also instructed Oakland Crusaders & Emerald Knights on & off over the years. In addition to playing bass in the Alumni Corps, I've been a drummer for Sunnybrook Court Jesters for 20 years. We did the Sunnybrook Court Christmas Parade as well as Birthdays, parades, and are the Toronto Children's Aid Christmas Party House band. |
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Carol Palumbo Cymbals |
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Cindy Tracey Tenor |
Cindy played Bass, Tenor, and Snare, with Catholic Daughters of America (C. D. of A. - Butler, Pennsylvania, USA) from 1961 to 1969. In 1968 they won the US World Open All Girl Junior "A" Championship. In the 70's she played multi's with the Burlington Commanders. |
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Clare Reid Support Staff, |
Clare began in 1949 at Western Tech and was lead soprano player, instructor and then Director, Brass & drill instructor as well as Drum Major for Parkdale Lions All Girl Drum Corps. He was also the Director of Optimists Lancers, President of the Ontario and Canadian Drum Corps Associations and Timing Judge with the Canadian Judges Assoc. Clare assisted Don Daber with the Optimists Junior Corps and he’s been with the Optimists Alumni from inception, serving on its first Board of Directors for 4 years and assisting the Founders with its formation and growth. |
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David Johns Photography, |
David was in the Toronto Region Trumpet Band from 1956 to 1958 when he joined The Don Mills Sky Raiders. He played snare from 1958 to 1960. He really wanted to join The Optimists and did so in the spring of 1961. David was a member of the colour guard that first year and from 1962-1964 he played base drum. He was Drum major for a short time in 1965. David helped Don Daber with publicity as a photographer until 1967. |
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Dave Kirton Associate Member |
In his younger days, Dave played soprano with York Lions. He started off playing soprano in the Alumni Corps, then moved to Mellophone.
Now he's enjoying himself in Thailand. |
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Dave MacKinnon Brass Arranger |
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Don Daber Member Emeritus |
An integral part of the Optimists organization for over 40 years, serving as publicity director and photographer for both Toronto Optimists and Seneca Optimists. He's also served as Corps Director of Toronto Optimists. |
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Dougie May Baritone |
Dougie played Soprano/Baritone with Optimist Lancers from 1969-1971, Baritone with Toronto Optimists from 1971-1975 and baritone with Seneca Optimists from1976-1977.
He joined the Optimists Alumni in 2005 and played Soprano in 2005 & 2006. In 2007 he played Baritone then joined the Colour Guard. This year he's back playing Baritone. |
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Doug Darwin Director at Large |
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Eric McConachie Photographer, |
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Frans Rood Support |
Frans started in 1957 on Tenor Drum/Bass in Columbus Drum Corps; he played Bass Drum in Optimists from 1960-1963. In 1967 he was the Corps photographer and CDCA Photographer.
Frans joined the Alumni Corps in Nov. 2005. |
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Gerry Bencze Soprano |
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Glenda Tokiwa Guard |
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Gord Brown Soprano, |
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Heather Hyslop Mellophone |
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Henry Beben Associate Member |
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Jack Roberts Soprano |
Jack was with the Grantham Police Boys Band form 1957 to '62, then Optimists in '63. After that he became the drill designer & instructor for Optimists. |
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Jackie Nicholls Drum Major |
Jackie saw her first drum corps show at the age of 10 or 11. At 15 she joined the Oshawa Rebels. She had the honour of being the first Drum Major of the Rebels. Jackie has been part of a few groups over the years including the Kingston Grenadiers, ROTC Toronto and the Kawartha Kavaliers where she was thrilled to march alongside her daughter. Jackie’s "real" job as an elementary teacher has allowed her to conduct many bands and choirs. She has even conducted a 90 piece concert band at Roy Thomson Hall. She also has several medals from being part of the North Metro Sweet Adelines, who are 3 time world champions of Ladies Barbershop. Jackie is excited and honoured to be the 2012 Drum Major of The Optimist Alumni and being part of the famous… Green Machine! |
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Jan Forsythe Guard |
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Jeff MacKay Percussion Arranger, |
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Jim Dwyer Support Staff |
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Jim Rolfe Tenor |
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Joe Gianna Soprano |
Danforth Crusaders 1956-58; Toronto Optimists 1958-63 playing lead soprano. I also spent some years teaching together with Barry and some years with The Optimist Club of York Toronto (the Sponsoring body of the corps after the downtown Optimist Club, declared that they could no longer afford to sponsor the corps), a couple of years as president of the club, and was around when Seneca Optimists came into being and for a few years after. |
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Joe Lasko Baritone |
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John Dileo Drill Instructor |
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John Giblin Bass Drum |
John marched with Mighty Grantham from 1962-65; with St. Catharines Chessman, 1966-68 and Burlington Commanders, 1971-72. In the Alumni Corps since 2005. |
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John Malcolm Snare |
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John Parkinson Colour Guard |
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John Shearer Soprano |
Soprano with the "Toronto Region Scout Band", 1957-58; soprano with the Optimist Bantam Corps from 1958-60; soprano with Toronto Optimists from 1961-1965; equipment manager for Toronto Optimists from 1966-67 |
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Judy Davidson Support |
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Karen Bosworth Bass Drum |
Karen marched with Seneca Princemen in 1975 in the Color Guard (flag) and with the Seneca Optimists in 1976, 1977 and 1978 in the Color Guard (flag). She joined the Alumni corps on cymbals and is now playing Bass Drum. Karen also plays tenor drum with Simcoe United Alumni. |
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Kevin Clancy Snare |
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Kimiko Yamada Associate Member |
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Lorne Ferrazzutti Snare |
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Matt Davis Baritone |
For the past 20 years Matthew has played a musical instrument, including the piano, trombone and baritone horn. From 2003 to 2005 he marched in DCI with Dutch Boy. Matthew also played with East Coast Jazz who finished in 2nd place in Division 2 at DCI. He aged out in 2006. He is currently studying for a degree in Accounting from Conestoga College in Kitchener. |
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Mike Lang Baritone, |
Mike was with Michael Power Knights from 1966-1969 and the Etobicoke Crusaders, 1969-1971. Over the years Mike has been a member of the Colour Guard as well as playing Euphonium, Contra Bass and Baritone. He's been a member of the Alumni Corps since 2002 and plays baritone. |
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Paul Blanchard Baritone |
Paul played French Horn and marched with Hamilton Conqueror from 1960 through 1964. He joined the Optimists Alumni Corps in January, 2006 and plays Baritone. |
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Paul Thompson Associate Member |
St Michael's College High School Band; Toronto Optimists from 1963-1973; Weston Silver Band; 411 Squadron Air Force Concert Band; the Metropolitan United Church Band and Alumni from 2003 till present. |
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Phil Hennings Mellophone |
Member of the Scout Band, Opti-Corps and Toronto Optimists from 1955-1960, played soprano from 1955-1957 and was Drum Major from 1958-1960. Today Phil plays Mellophone in the Alumni Corps. |
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Ric Brown Bass Drum, |
Ric marched with the Toronto Optimists from 1969 to 1975 including guard, rifle, cymbals and bass drum. He had a management role with the Seneca Optimists
in 1976 and was Assistant Director in 1977/1978. He's an original member of Optimists Alumni Association and one of four founders of The Optimists Alumni Drum Corps. |
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Rick Lang Soprano |
Rick's history includes the Michael Power Knights 1966-1969; Etobicoke Crusaders 1970-1972 and Uncle John's Dirty Secret 1971-1974. He's been a member of the Alumni Corps since January, 2006. |
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Rick Robida |
Rick has been a member of the Optimists Alumni since its inception. He was a member of the Toronto Optimists and last marched in Junior Competition
in 1963.
Rick started with the Grantham Township Police Boys Band when they were formed in the mid 1950s. He also marched with the Merritton Grenadiers, the Merritton Buccaneers, the Guelph Royalaires and the Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni. |
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Rick Shearer Mellophone |
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Roger Rafson Bass Drum |
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Ron Smith Cymbals |
Ron Smith was discovered by Warren Berger in the wilds of Omemee. While Ron has no previous experience with either Drum Corps or bands, Warren's tales filled
him with enthusiasm.
Ron began by carrying a flag in the guard and he is now playing cymbals. |
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Scott Butcher Snare |
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Shannon Sweeney Baritone |
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Susan Roberts Guard |
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Taunia Borsellino Soprano |
Taunia's first experience in a drum corps was when she was 9 years old. She marched with the Ventures Drum and Bugle corps and was the gong girl in the pit. Taunia played Trumpet in her school band and was also involved in a Rock/Pop band where she sang and played trumpet for concerts and church. |
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Terry Sweeney Soprano |
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Vern Johannson Drum Major |
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Vern Reid Associate Member |
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Warren Berger Soprano |
Verral L.O.L. Trumpet Band 1950 - 1952; Western Tech 1954 - 56; Optimist 1958-61; Jesters 1962; Commanders 1963-69. Alumni corps since its inception. Always played lead soprano. |
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William Porquet Soprano |
William began his drum corps career in Junior High School as the youngest (and still shortest) horn player with the Sydney Firefighters Marching Band in Nova Scotia. In the summers between university semesters he marched with the Fortress of Louisbourg Drum & Fife Corps from 1993-1997, playing and teaching fife, and occasionally filling in as duty drummer. While working at Fortress Louisbourg, he trained with John C. Moon (Drummer to the Royal Household, former Drum Major of the Scots Guards, Drum Major at Colonial Williamsburg, and incidentally uncle and rudiments teacher to Keith Moon, drummer for The Who). |
