The Optimists Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
. . . March On!
Site Map
Here you'll find links to all of the pages on our website.
Alumni Corps
- Alumni Corps
- About Us
- GCCs, Yearbooks and more
- Order form to have printed GCC delivered
- Green Capsule Comments (Newsletters of the Toronto Optimists)
- Gold Capsule Comments (Newsletters of the Seneca Optimists)
- Information Drum Corps (Newsletters of the Ontario Drum Corps Association)
- Green and Gold Capsule Comments (Newsletters of the Optimists Alumni)
- Yearbooks and More
- Home Page
- Keep in Touch!
- Our Constitution (Acrobat File)
- Our Instructors
- Our Sponsors & Suppliers
- Rehearsal Reports (from the beginnings of the Alumni Corps)
- A Beautiful Noise (by Vern Johansson)
- Making My Family Happy (by Ted Wilson)
- Up From The Basement (Vol 1) (by Ted Wilson)
- Up From The Basement (Vol 2) (by Ted Wilson)
- Up From The Basement (Vol 3) (by Ted Wilson)
- Common Goals and Greatness (by Kevin Matthew)
- Sucked In Like A May Fly (by Gord LeFevre)
- We're A Drum Corps (by Gord LeFevre)
- Notes From The Back Of A Pickup Truck (by Ted Wilson)
- Post-G.A.S. Ponderings (by Gord LeFevre)
- I Love A Parade (by Gord LeFevre)
- Waterford Show Ponderings (by Gord LeFevre)
- More Than Just a Song (by Brian Hogan)
- Tribute To a Humble Genius (by Brian Hogan)
- The Thrill of Drill (by Bill Kane)
- The Strange Case of the City of Toronto Flag (by Phil Hennings)
- Opti-Corps
- Sales and Donations
- Site Map
- Upcoming Performances
- Want To Join Us?
Information
Members
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Members
- Brass & Percussion Goodies
- Combined Rehearsal & Performance Schedule
- Drill Sheets and Videos
- Our Members (Photos and a few words)
- Instructions and Notes
- Taking care of our uniforms (Acrobat file)
- News of Interest to Corps Members
- Optimists Corps Song (Acrobat File)
- Sheet Music Downloads
History
- Our History
- 50th anniversary!
- 50 Years of Drum Corps in Canada (7 meg Acrobat File)
- Drum Corps Hall of Fame Members
- Optimists Alumni: The Beginnings
- Acrobat file notifying people of the first rehearsal of the Alumni Corps
- Memories from the Past
- Our Members Marched With...
- Canadian Commanders
- Danforth Tech
- De La Salle "Oaklands"
- Etobicoke Crusaders
- Golden Monarchs
- Grantham Police Boys Band
- Guelph Royalaires
- Hamilton Conqueror
- Jolly Jesters & Jesters
- Leaside Lions
- Oakland Crusaders
- Opti-Corps
- Optimist Lancers & Cadet Lancers
- Scarborough Firefighters / Seneca Princemen
- Seneca Optimists
- Simcoe United Alumni
- Toronto Optimists
- Toronto Signals
- Western Tech
- excerpt from the 1954–55 Western Tech Yearbook
- York Lions
- Our Optimist Roots (by Vern Johansson)
- Download the complete article in Acrobat Format (Acrobat File)
- The Beginnings
- Acrobat file (winning 1958 Canadian Championships in Galt)
- Their Hearts Belong to Daddy
- JPG File (the 1956 Championship certificate)
- Are These Guys for Real?
- On, March On
- Maybe This Green Machine Has too Many Miles On It
- "You Better Bleed on the Finish Line"
- Acrobat file on the 1962 Rome, NY show (2 megs)
- How Long Can This Machine Last?
- The Field Is Still Green, But the Sky Is Cloudy
- Happy Birthday, Canada
- Acrobat file (winning 1967 Nationals)
- Small, But Mighty
- Those Were The Days
- Seneca Optimists (1 + 1 = 1)
- Former Optimists
- Scrapbooks (these are Acrobat files)
- We Remember Those Who Have Gone (web page intro plush links to pages for members
who have passed)
- We Remember Acrobat file (with photos and a few words)
- We Remember Video Slideshow (with photos and names)
Audio and Video Files
Slideshows (in Flash format)
We Remember... | |
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Our Members Marched With.... | |
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Optimists Alumni: Evolution | |
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The Optimists: Then & Now | |
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Seneca Optimists Colour Guard | |
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1977 | 1977 Seneca Optimists: In Review |
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2007 | 2007 Optimists Alumni: In Review |
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2008 | 2008 Optimists Alumni: In Review |
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2009 | 2009 Optimists Alumni: In Review |
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2010 | 2010 Optimists Alumni: In Review |
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2011 | 2011 Optimists Alumni: In Review |
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2012 | 2012 Optimists Alumni: In Review |
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2013 | 2013 Optimists Alumni: In Review |
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2016 | 2016 Optimists Alumni: In Review |
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Video Footage (in Flash format)
1958 | 1958 Toronto Optimists |
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1959 | 1959 Toronto Optimists at the Nationals |
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1959 Preston Scout House at the Nationals | |
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1960 | 1960 Hamilton Seniors (Nationals?) |
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1961 | 1961 Grape Festival Parade |
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1963 | 1963 Toronto Optimists |
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1964 | 1964 Nationals Prelims |
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1964 or 1965 Grantham on Parade | |
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1964 or 1965 Parade before the Nationals | |
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1967 | 1967 Toronto Optimists at the CYO Nationals |
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1968 | 1968 Toronto Optimists in the Port Dover Canada_Day_parade |
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1973 | 1973 Toronto Optimists in rehearsal and performance |
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2004 | 2004 Optimists Alumni at G.A.S. |
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2005 | 2005 Optimists Alumni |
2007 | 2007 Optimists Alumni |
2007 Optimists Alumni: Drum Solo and Concert | |
2008 | 2008 Optimists Alumni Off The Line (Rochester, August 31, 2008) |
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2009 | 2009 Optimists Alumni Off The Line (Rochester, September 6, 2009) |
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2010 | 2010 Optimists Alumni (Buffalo, August 8, 2010) |
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2012 | 2012 Optimists Alumni (Oshawa, August 25, 2012) |
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2013 | 2013 Optimists Alumni (Oshawa, August 17, 2013) |
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2016 | 2016 Optimists Alumni (Burlington, April 30, 2016) |
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2016 Optimists Alumni (Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo, May 15, 2016) | |
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2016 Optimists Alumni rehearsal: Run 1 (recorded on August 6, 2016) | |
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2016 Optimists Alumni rehearsal: Run 2 (recorded on August 6, 2016) | |
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2016 Optimists Alumni in Waterloo, ON (recorded on August 6, 2016) | |
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2016 Optimists Alumni in the warmup room at DCI Soundsport (recorded on August 13, 2016) | |
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2016 Optimists Alumni at DCI Soundsport (recorded on August 13, 2016) | |
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1967 | 1967 Toronto Optimists at the CYO Nationals (recorded August 27, 1967 in Newton, MA) |
2004 | 2004 Optimists Alumni at G.A.S. This video footage shows the 2004 Optimists Alumni performing at G.A.S. on May 1, 2004. |
2005 | 2005 Optimists Alumni. This video footage was recorded by Bryan Buttigieg on August 20, 2005. It shows the Optimists Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps performing at a fundraiser for Juno Beach at University Stadium in Waterloo. |
2007 | 2007 Optimists Alumni at the DCA Alumni Spectacular in Rochester, NY |
2008 | 2008 Optimists Alumni. Recorded on July 27, 2008 in Hamilton, ON by Peter McCusker. |
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2008 Optimists Alumni at G.A.S. in Mississauga, ON). Numbers played: Lawrence of Arabia fanfare; Love theme from "El Cid"; Big Band Medley (In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Boogie Blues, Drum Boogie, Tuxedo Junction, Caravan); Battle Cry of Freedom / A Place to Stand (Ontario) | |
2008 Optimists Alumni at the DCA Alumni Spectacular in Rochester, NY. 2008 was the Optimists Alumni's second year of performing a 1960s style drill show. The show opens with a fanfare from "Lawrence of Arabia" followed by the Love theme from "El Cid" and a Drum Solo. The concert is a Big Band Medley of "In the Mood", "Moonlight Serenade", "Boogie Blues", "Drum Boogie", "Tuxedo Junction" and "Caravan". For Color Presentation the corps plays a medley of "Battle Cry of Freedom" and "A Place to Stand" (Ontario). The Off-The-Field number is "San Francisco" (Wear Flowers in your Hair). | |
2009 | 2009 Optimists Alumni. Recorded by Peter McCusker on August 29, 2009 in Oshawa, ON |
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2009 Optimists Alumni at DCA Alumni Spectacular in Rochester, NY. Numbers played: Fanfare from Lawrence of Arabia; Love Theme from El Cid; Big Band Medley (Moonlight Serenade, In the Mood, Boogie Blues, Drum Boogie, Tuxedo Junction, Caravan); Battle Cry of Freedom (Colour Presentation); Drum Solo; Patton; San Francisco (Wear flowers in your hair) | |
2009 Optimists Alumni in Oshawa. This video shows the Optimists Alumni performing in Oshawa, Ontario on August 29, 2009. The show opens with a fanfare from Lawrence of Arabia followed by the Love theme from "El Cid". The concert is a Big Band Medley of Moonlight Serenade, In the Mood, Boogie Blues, Drum Boogie, Tuxedo Junction, Caravan. It is followed by the Colour Presentation of Battle Cry of Freedom, a Drum Solo, and Patton. The show closes with San Francisco (Wear flowers in your hair). | |
2009 Optimists Alumni: In Review. All of the photos in this video slide-show of the Optimists Alumni Drum & Bugle corps were taken during 2009. We've included photos from rehearsals and social events as well as photos from concerts, parades and field shows. | |
2010 | 2010 Optimists Alumni at DCA Alumni Spectacular in Rochester, NY. Numbers played: Opener: fanfare of Lawrence of Arabia followed by the Love Theme from "El Cid"; Concert: Big Band Medley of Moonlight Serenade, Boogie Blues, Drum Boogie, Tuxedo Junction and Caravan; Drum Solo; Out of Concert: Temptation; Colour Presentation: a medley of "Battle Cry of Freedom" and "Maple Leaf Forever"; Closer: What Kind of Fool Am I? |
2011 | 2011 Optimists Alumni at DCA Alumni Spectacular in Rochester, NY. Numbers played: Opener: fanfare of Lawrence of Arabia followed by the Love Theme from "El Cid"; Concert: Big Band Medley of Moonlight Serenade, Boogie Blues, Drum Boogie, Tuxedo Junction and Caravan; Drum Solo; Out of Concert: Temptation; Colour Presentation: a medley of "Battle Cry of Freedom" and "Maple Leaf Forever"; Closer: What Kind of Fool Am I? |
2012 | 2012 Optimists Alumni in Oshawa. Numbers played: Opener: Judy Garland Medley; Drum Feature; Concert: Big Band Medley of Boogie Blues, Drum Boogie, Tuxedo Junction and Caravan; Colour Presentation: American Canadian salute (a medley of "Battle Cry of Freedom" and "Maple Leaf Forever"); Drum Feature; Closer: "Beautiful People" with a reprise of "The Man Who Got Away" |
2012 Optimists Alumni at the Scout House Tattoo in Waterloo, ON. Numbers played: Opener: Judy Garland Medley; Drum Feature; Concert: Big Band Medley of Boogie Blues, Drum Boogie, Tuxedo Junction and Caravan; Colour Presentation: American Canadian salute (a medley of "Battle Cry of Freedom" and "Maple Leaf Forever"); Drum Feature; Closer: "Beautiful People" with a reprise of "The Man Who Got Away" | |
2012 Optimists Alumni at DCA Alumni Spectacular in Annapolis, MD. Numbers played: Opener: Judy Garland Medley; Drum Feature; Concert: Big Band Medley of Boogie Blues, Drum Boogie, Tuxedo Junction and Caravan; Colour Presentation: American Canadian salute (a medley of "Battle Cry of Freedom" and "Maple Leaf Forever"); Drum Feature; Closer: "Beautiful People" with a reprise of "The Man Who Got Away" | |
2013 | 2013 Optimists Alumni in Oshawa. The Optimists Alumni Drum Corps performing their 2013 show. The show opens with a "Judy Garland Medley". This is followed by a Drum Feature after which "Caravan" is played for concert. The Colour Presentation of "Maple Leaf Forever" is followed by another Drum Feature. The show closes with "I Have A Love" and "Somewhere" from West Side Story. The video was recorded by Christian Byrne on August 17, 2013 at the Legends V show in Oshawa, Ontario |
2013 Optimists Alumni at DCA Alumni Spectacular in Annapolis, MD. Numbers played: Opener: "Judy Garland Medley"; Drum Feature; Concert: "Caravan"; Colour Presentation: "Maple Leaf Forever"; Drum Feature; Closer: "I Have A Love" and "Somewhere" from West Side Story | |
2014 | 2014 Optimists Alumni at DCA Alumni Spectacular in Rochester, NY. Numbers played: Opener: Theme from "Spiderman"; Drum Feature; Concert: "Caravan"; Colour Presentation: "Maple Leaf Forever"; Closing: Medley from West Side Story (the "Jet Song" with a drum feature, "I Have A Love" and "Somewhere") |
2016 | 2016 Optimists Alumni competing at DCI SoundSport |
2017 | 2017 Optimists Alumni Excerpts (Guelph) |
2017 Optimists Alumni in Gasan-ri Jagunae, Jeju, South Korea. Numbers played: Y.M.C.A. (Village People); A Crazy Little Thing; Called Love (Queen); I Have A Love (from West Side Story); A Closer Walk with Thee; Tiger Rag; Elks' Parade; Variations on a Korean Folk Song; When The Saints Go Marching In; Everybody Needs Somebody (Blues Brothers) I've left in some post-show footage showing the corps tried to get a formal shot. Everyone ended up being part of the shot! | |
2017 Optimists Alumni on Jeju Island in South Korea (performing for school children). The performance was recorded on August 12th and was part of the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival. This performance was for a group of school children waiting for their results in a musical competition. | |
2017 Optimists Alumni, at the City Hall in Seongnam, South Korea. The performance was on Aug 6th and we were wearing our parade outfits. | |
2018 | 2018 Optimists Alumni at Ventures' show (recorded by David Johns on February 24, 2018 in Kitchener, ON) [playing "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Queen), "Jump In The Line" (a calypso number) and "Everybody Needs Somebody" (Blues Brothers] |
2018 Optimists Alumni in Welland (recorded by David Johns on April 7, 2018 in Welland, ON) [playing "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Queen), "Jump In The Line" (a calypso number) and "Everybody Needs Somebody" (Blues Brothers] | |
2018 Optimists Alumni in Hamilton (recorded by David Johns on April 28, 2018 at a SO-MAC {Southern Ontario Marching Arts Collective} in in Hamilton, ON) [playing "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Queen), "Jump In The Line" (a calypso number) and "Everybody Needs Somebody" (Blues Brothers] | |
2018 Optimists Alumni in Waterloo (recorded by David Johns on May 13, 2018 at Northstar's show in in Waterloo, ON) [playing "Tiger Rag", "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Queen), "Jump In The Line" (a calypso number) and "Everybody Needs Somebody" (Blues Brothers] | |
2018 Optimists Alumni performing at DCI SoundSport in Indianapolis, IN (recorded by Doug Nicholls on August 11, 2018) [playing "We Will Rock You (Queen), "We Are The Champions" (Queen), "Jump In The Line" (a calypso number) and "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Queen) | |
Photos