Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-23
The Musical Clubs Organized
in Los Angeles.
Brief Histories Of the Ellis and
Treble Clef Societies.
Their Development, Personnel ant
Musical Ambition.
Interesting Facts About the Growth OF
Musical Taste in This City-The
Members OF the Two Clubs I'm
der COnsideration-What
They Have Accom-
Plished.

come revival of interest in musica
matters, and even though the heated
term is still on, preparations are already
far advanced for number of events
which will usher in season which
promises to be more than usually attract.
i've to the devotees OF the divine art.
Foremost among the coming enter.
tainments may be mentioned the con-
certs of the Ellis, Treble Clef and Apollo
clubs in October. These events are
already being eagerly looked forward to,
and some good work may be expected,
and at this time brief history of the
amateur societies and musicians of the
city will not prove out of place.
Los Angeles, although as yet young in
musical matters, is fortunate in having
in its midst the material for the forma-
tion Of number of organizations which
are unsurpassed, it is safe to say, by any
city in the United States OF equal size.
Its amateur singers are far above the
average and are banded together in the
various clubs where they work harmo-
niously and intelligently for the advance
ment of themselves and the public.
That this has been appreciated is
shown by the universal support ac-
corded the clubs which have sprung up
in the city, all OF which are now in a
prosperous condition and ready to begin
a season which from all indications will
prove the most ENJOYABLE of any they
have passed through.
Three years ago the city was without
a musical club. Now it enjoys the dis
tinction OF having seven which confine
themselves entirely to the study and
rendition OF choral music, and these
will be made the subject OF this series of
articles on Los Angeles musicians.
THE ELLIS CLUB.
The history of the Ellis club, which
is the father of the others, all date back
three years.
Mr.. Charles j. Ellis, talented anna
teur, invited Messrs. Gordon, r. w.
Poindexter and Dan Mcfarland to his
home on Ellis avenue, to spend
musical evening" These gentlemen
formed themselves into a quartet, and
the evening proved go enjoyable that
second meeting was arranged for before
the quartet OF gentlemen separated, and
they were so enthusiastic at the idea of
spending an evening of each week in q
like manner that the infection spread
rapidly and invitations were sought for.
Messrs. Frank S. Hicks, A. G. Walsh
and q. 5. Walton were invited to be
present at subsequent gathering, and
they Immediately joined in with the
others. Five of these meetings were
hnI nd ott II
creased.
A great amount OF interest began
to manifest itself in regard to the for
nation OF a male chorus, and at
meeting held March Goth, at which
there were fifteen present, the forma-
tion OF a club began to take definite
shape: On April Sd an organization
was effected, the club then and there
being named after its father, Chas. j.
Ellis.
Within week rehearsal room was
engaged, and regular work begun. Un-
der the leadership OF Mr.. Geo. St. John
Bremner. Bylaws were adopted pro-
viding tor an active membership of 40,
and an associate or subscription mem
bership OF 150.. Immediately subscrip-
ton list was opened and soon filled.
The number OF subscribers was finally
increased to 200, in response to gen.
eral demand.
On August 1st, Mr.. II. Burton was
elected conductor, and the first concert
was given in Turnverein hall, Thursday
evening, July 10th, OF the same year.
In the three years of it's existence the
club has given twelve concerts, nine of
which were given in Turn Verein hall,
one in the Grand opera-house and two
in the Los Angeles theatre.
Mr.. Burton conducted up to and in
cluding the concert of October 3, 1889,
and was succeeded by Mr.. J. G. Dunster,
who directed two concerts.
Mr.. Dunster resigned the leadership,
which was Immediately rendered to Mr..
Chas. S. Walton, who has since upheld
the trying position with credit to him
self and to the satisfaction of the club.
AT concert given August 20, 1890,
Mr.. David W. Loring, OF San Francisco,
the accomplished director of the Loring
club, who was then visiting friends in
the city, conducted.
Mrs. Chas. S. Walton, nee Mis- Vir-
ginia Bereman, enjoys the distinction of
being the only lady admitted to mem
bership in the organization. Mrs. Wal
ton has filled the trying position of ac-
companist at every rehearsal and con-
cert given by the club since the date of
its organization.
Che active membership list, which is
limited to sixty, is given below:
First tenors-W. B. Abernethy, d. S.
Alexander, VIM. Burr, J. P. Dupuy,
Frank B. Tanning, DR.. j. Jouch, F. 4.
Nay, J. F. Nuelle, j. A. Osgood, c.. B.
Smith, John E. Sisson, w. G. Taylor,
Chas. S. Walton, A. w. Worm.
Second tenors-G. Edward AverilI, A.
G. Bartlett, James Booth, ]. w. Coch-
ran, Jr., G. ]. Ellis, F. w. Fisher, j. w.
Hendrick, q. M. Lebo, A. w. Sias, B. s.
Stoneman.
First bass-H. D. Alfonso, 7. F.
Barnes, B. G. Bryant, DR.. E. G. Buell.,
G. G. Desmond, W. D. Dunn, Percy A.
Fenimore, W. B. Hopkins, Max Loewen-
thai, DR.. E. G. Manning, Frank J.
Thomas, F. A. Walton, Harry Williams.
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