The Ellis-Orpheus Men's Chorus was one of the most enduring choral societies in the United States, and played a significant role in Los Angeles culture from the founding of the Ellis Club in 1888 until its dissolution in 2000. The collection consists primarily of the group's sheet music, mostly arranged for four-part men's voices. Also present are programs for most of the group's concerts, membership and financial records, and some photographs.

The Ellis Club was founded by Charles J. Ellis in 1888 as a men's chorus providing entertainment to the burgeoning city of Los Angeles. The club was in such demand that Joseph P. Dupuy saw fit to found the similar Orpheus Club in 1905. Both groups thrived in the early part of the century, but their memberships declined throughout the Great Depression and in 1939 they merged to form the Ellis-Orpheus Men's Chorus. After the war, the club shifted its focus from downtown Los Angeles to the South Bay, performing the majority of its concerts in El Segundo, Torrance, and Palos Verdes. In the ensuing decades, its membership would shrink even further, and they encountered great difficulty attracting younger members. Ultimately, the group decided to disband after its concert on April 30, 2000.

12.2 linear ft. (17.5 document boxes, 2 oversize flat boxes, 1 custom box, 1 map folder)

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