The  Optimists  Alumni  Drum  &  Bugle  Corps

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

. . . March On!

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

Al Miller
Barry Bell
Bill Kane
Bill Kellas
Bob Carell
Brian Adam
Brian Byrne
Brian Collingdon
Brian Hogan
Carol Munro
Cindy Tracey
Clare Reid
Dave Bruce
David Johns
Dave Kirton
Dave MacKinnon
Debbie Bruce
Debi LaPointe
Dennis Roberts
Don Daber
Dougie May
Doug Roblin
Ed Finoro
Eric McConachie
Frank Rivier
Frans Rood
Gareth Skipp
  George A. Anthony
Gerry Bencze
Glen Ingram
Glenda Tokiwa
Glenn Copp
Gord Brown
Gord O'Halloran
Heather Hyslop
Henry Beben
Jack Roberts
Jamie Oatt
Jan Forsythe
Jeff MacKay
Jim Dwyer
Joe Gianna
Joe Lasko
John Giblin
John Malcolm
John Parkinson
John Shearer
Judy Davidson
Karen Bosworth
Kevin Clancy
Kevin Matthew
Kimiko Yamada
Laura King
Len Perrin
  Lois Nicholls
Lorne Ferrazzutti
Mike Lang
Patricia Cottrell
Paul Blanchard
Paul Thompson
Phil Hennings
Ric Brown
Rick Lang
Rick Robida
Rick Shearer
Rick Tracey
Rod Patterson
Ron Chong
Ron Cottrell
Ron Smith
Scott Butcher
Shannon Sweeney
Steve Meikle
Susan Roberts
Terry Sweeney
Toby Frechette
Vern Johansson
Warren Berger
William Porquet
Photo of: Al Miller

List of Names,   Top

Al Miller

Cymbals

 
Photo of: Barbara Roberts

List of Names,   Top

Barbara Roberts

Guard

 
Photo of: Barry Bell

List of Names,   Top

Barry Bell

Baritone

 
Photo of: Bill Kane

List of Names,   Top

Bill Kane

Baritone,
Corps VP

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.
Photo of: Bill Kellas

List of Names,   Top

Bill Kellas

Contra

 
Photo of: Bob Carell

List of Names,   Top

Bob Carell

Mellophone

Bob marched with Toronto Optimists from 1963 through 1967. He was in the guard in 1963, usually carrying the Optimist Club flag. He played soprano from 1964-67. In 1976-77 he drove the equipment truck for Seneca, cooked, etc. Bob joined the Alumni Corps in 2004 where he played Alto. In 2008 he moved to Mellophone.
Photo of:Brian Adam

List of Names,   Top

Brian Adam

Baritone,
Director At Large

Brian marched with Seneca Optimists in 1977. Most recently he's been playing with the Empire Statesmen.
Photo of: Brian Byrne

List of Names,   Top

Brian Byrne

Corps Treasurer

Brian began his drum corps career on French Horn with Grantham Drum & Bugle Corps, 1960 to 1965; played French Horn with Toronto Optimists in 1966 & 1967 and Mellophone in 1968 and 1969. He was in the Alumni Corps at its inception and was Drum Major in 2005. Today, he's corps treasurer.
Photo of: Brian Collingdon

List of Names,   Top

Brian Collingdon

Baritone

 
Photo of: Brian Hogan

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: Carol Munro

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: Cindy Tracey

List of Names,   Top

Cindy Tracey

Tenor

Cindy is practicing for tenor.  She 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.
Photo of: Clare Reid

List of Names,   Top

Clare Reid

Support Staff,
Associate Member

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.
Dave Bruce

List of Names,   Top

Dave Bruce

Baritone

 
Photo of: Dave Johns

List of Names,   Top

David Johns

Photography
& Advertising

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.
Photo of: Dave Kirton

List of Names,   Top

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.

Hoto of: Dave MacKinnon

List of Names,   Top

Dave MacKinnon

Brass Arranger
and Instructor

 
Photo of: Debbie Bruce

List of Names,   Top

Debbie Bruce

Guard

 
Hoto of: Debbi LaPointe

List of Names,   Top

Debi LaPointe

Cymbals

 
Photo of: Dennis Roberts

List of Names,   Top

Dennis Roberts

Soprano

 
Photo of: Don Daber

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: Toby Frechette

List of Names,   Top

Dougie May
(aka Toby Frechette)

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.

Photo of: Doug Roblin

List of Names,   Top

Doug Roblin

Soprano

 
Photo of: Ed Finoro

List of Names,   Top

Ed Finoro

Contrabass

 
Photo of: Eric McConachie

List of Names,   Top

Eric McConachie

Photographer,
Support Staff

 
Photo of: Frank Rivier

List of Names,   Top

Frank Rivier

Soprano

 
Photo of: Frans Rood

List of Names,   Top

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.

Photo of: Gareth Skipp

List of Names,   Top

Gareth Skipp

Drill Design
and Instruction

 
Photo of: George A. Anthony

List of Names,   Top

George A. Anthony

Tenor

While attending Westdale Secondary School in Hamilton, George played the straight bugle; then the crook as an army cadet with the Westdale Bugle Band from 1959-1962. During the summer of 1960, again as an army cadet, he played soprano horn with the Ipperwash Band Company. Through 1961-1962, he first played soprano horn; then bass drum with the Conqueror Drum & Bugle Corps.
Photo of: Gerry Bencze

List of Names,   Top

Gerry Bencze

Soprano

 
Photo of: Glen Ingram

List of Names,   Top

Glen Ingram

Cymbals

 
Photo of: Glenda Tokiwa

List of Names,   Top

Glenda Tokiwa

Guard

 
Photo of: Glenn Copp

List of Names,   Top

Glenn Copp

Cymbals

 
Photo of: Gord Brown

List of Names,   Top

Gord Brown

Alto,
Corps Secretary

 
Photo of: Gord O'Halloran

List of Names,   Top

Gord O'Halloran

Tenor

 
Photo of: Heather Hyslop

List of Names,   Top

Heather Hyslop

Mellophone

 
Photo of: Henry Beben

List of Names,   Top

Henry Beben

Associate Member

 
Photo of: Jack Roberts

List of Names,   Top

Jack Roberts

Soprano,
Drill Instructor

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.
Photo of: Jamie Oatt

List of Names,   Top

Jamie Oatt

Music Director

 
Photo of: Jan Forsythe

List of Names,   Top

Jan Forsythe

Guard

 
Photo of: Jeff MacKay

List of Names,   Top

Jeff MacKay

Percussion Arranger
and Instructor

 
Photo of: Jim Dwyer

List of Names,   Top

Jim Dwyer

Support Staff

Photo of: Joe Gianna

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: Joe Lasko

List of Names,   Top

Joe Lasko

Baritone

Photo of: John Giblin

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: John Malcolm

List of Names,   Top

John Malcolm

Snare

Photo of John Parkinson

List of Names,   Top

John Parkinson

Colour Guard

Photo of: John Shearer

List of Names,   Top

John Shearer

Alto

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
Photo of Judy Davidson

List of Names,   Top

Judy Davidson

Support

Photo of: Karen Bosworth

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: Kevin Clancy

List of Names,   Top

Kevin Clancy

Snare

Photo of: Kevin Matthew

List of Names,   Top

Kevin Matthew

Horn Instructor

 
Photo of: Kimiko Yamada

List of Names,   Top

Kimiko Yamada

Associate Member

Photo of: Laura King

List of Names,   Top

Laura King

Drum Major

 
Photo of: Len Perrin

List of Names,   Top

Len Perrin

Mellophone

I was always with Optimists, 1957 Jr. B National Champs; 1958 Jr. A Champs. French Horn for 4 years, and spent 2 years in Guard. Highlight was Nationals in 1958. We were so new and everyone loved us; then 1962 when we beat the first top U.S. Corps, Blessed Sacrament. A great way to begin and end my time in the Green. Been with the Alumni Corps since it began.
Hoto of: Lois Nicholls

List of Names,   Top

Lois Nicholls

Guard Design
and Instruction

Photo of: Lorne Ferrazzutti

List of Names,   Top

Lorne Ferrazzutti

Snare

Photo of: Mike Lang

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: Patricia Cottrell

List of Names,   Top

Patricia Cottrell

Guard

Photo of: Paul Blanchard

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: Paul Thompson

List of Names,   Top

Paul Thompson

Support Staff

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.
Photo of: Phil Hennings

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: Ric Brown

List of Names,   Top

Ric Brown

Bass Drum,
Business Manager

ic 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.
Photo of: Rick Lang

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: Rick Robida

List of Names,   Top

Rick Robida

Contrabass,
Corps President

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 and the Guelph Royalaires.

Photo of: Rick Shearer

List of Names,   Top

Rick Shearer

Mellophone,
Director At Large

Rick Tracey

List of Names,   Top

Rick Tracey

Snare

Photo of: Rod Patterson

List of Names,   Top

Rod Patterson

Snare

In his "Junior" days, Rod played snare with both the Scarborough Firefighters and the Seneca Princemen.
Photo of: Ron Chong

List of Names,   Top

Ron Chong

Mellophone,
Director At Large

Photo of: Ron Cottrell

List of Names,   Top

Ron Cottrell

Baritone

Photo of: Ron Smith

List of Names,   Top

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.

Photo of: Scott Butcher

List of Names,   Top

Scott Butcher

Snare

Photo of: Shannon Sweeney

List of Names,   Top

Shannon Sweeney

Baritone

Photo of: Steve Meikle

List of Names,   Top

Steve Meikle

Drill Instructor

Photo of: Susan Roberts

List of Names,   Top

Susan Roberts

Guard

Photo of: Terry Sweeney

List of Names,   Top

Terry Sweeney

Soprano

Photo of: Vern Johansson

List of Names,   Top

Vern Johannson

Drum Major

Photo of: Warren Berger

List of Names,   Top

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.
Photo of: William Porquet

List of Names,   Top

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).