Barry Bell, who became the music director of the Toronto Optimists in 1958, and also wrote the drill, designed the uniform and logo for the corps, is also a member of the Drum Corps International (DCI) Hall of Fame, inducted in 2004. Early in his drum corps career, he was given free rein to develop a drum and bugle corps from the Danforth Tech High School air cadet marching band. In 1958, he became the first horn line instructor and drill writer for the newly formed Toronto Optimists. Under his guidance, the Toronto Optimists became the most successful junior corps in Canada, winning the national championship in the first year of operation, and continuing the streak for 11 years in a row. He has played a baritone horn for the Toronto Optimists alumni corps since it began in 2003. He has also been music director of the Toronto Signals for many years. In addition to his drum corps career, Bell was an architectural representative for an international glass firm.
