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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Barbara Roberts Guard |
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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 Kellas Contra |
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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. |
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Brian Adam Baritone, |
Brian marched with Seneca Optimists in 1977. Most recently he's been playing with the Empire Statesmen. |
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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. |
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Brian Collingdon Baritone |
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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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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. |
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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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Dave Bruce Baritone |
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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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Debbie Bruce Guard |
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Debi LaPointe Cymbals |
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Dennis Roberts Soprano |
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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 Roblin Soprano |
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Ed Finoro Contrabass |
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Eric McConachie Photographer, |
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Frank Rivier Soprano |
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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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Gareth Skipp Drill Design |
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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. |
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Gerry Bencze Soprano |
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Glen Ingram Cymbals |
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Glenda Tokiwa Guard |
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Glenn Copp Cymbals |
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Gord Brown Alto, |
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Gord O'Halloran Tenor |
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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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Jamie Oatt Music Director |
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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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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 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 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 |
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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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Kevin Matthew Horn Instructor |
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Kimiko Yamada Associate Member |
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Laura King Drum Major |
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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. |
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Lois Nicholls Guard Design |
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Lorne Ferrazzutti Snare |
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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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Patricia Cottrell Guard |
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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 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. |
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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, |
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. |
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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 Contrabass, |
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. |
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Rick Shearer Mellophone, |
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Rick Tracey Snare |
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Rod Patterson Snare |
In his "Junior" days, Rod played snare with both the Scarborough Firefighters and the Seneca Princemen. |
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Ron Chong Mellophone, |
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Ron Cottrell Baritone |
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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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Steve Meikle Drill Instructor |
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Susan Roberts Guard |
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Terry Sweeney Soprano |
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Vern Johannson Drum Major |
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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). |
