The La Crosse Music Study Club began its seventy-four year history in November 1911 when a new community resident found she missed the weekly music study class she had previously attended in Milwaukee. During its early days the club consisted of married women who met frequently to perform, study individual composers and types of music, and present papers. Unmarried women were allowed to join in the club's second year. Although membership requirements changed, at one time it was necessary to be a performing musician in order to belong.
The club formally organized in 1916 by drawing up a constitution and by-laws, electing officers, and authorizing dues collections. At this time the club's mission was articulated as the promotion of the study and appreciation of musical art and the encouragement of music in the community. In 1919 the club started bringing artists to the city, continuing this sponsorship through 1926. In addition, the Music Club co-sponsored concerts with the Music Department of the La Crosse Normal School.
A winter concert series was begun in 1930. During this season The Messiah was presented with volunteers from city church choirs joining club members. This program developed into a yearly tradition and as the choruses became larger, the group evolved into the Vocational Civic Choir, later the La Crosse Choral Union. Members of the club also had associations with other La Crosse clubs, especially the College Club, a branch of the American Association of University Women, with which annual joint meetings were held from 1929 to 1936. An affiliation with the Wisconsin Federation of Music Clubs was formed in 1928, which lasted until 1934.
After 1950 the club began to meet less frequently, only once per month, to perform for each other. By 1976, although men had been allowed into the membership, the club had begun to suffer from declining attendance. In November 1985, members voted to dissolve the organization. The bank accounts were closed on April 26, 1986, and the remaining funds donated to the Ella Ambrosius Scholarship Fund.
