The founding group of the "Orfeón Donostiarra" was constituted in 1897, in Donostia - San Sebastián. since its origins the choir has been amateur and its members are united by their common love for art and harmony.

One day in June 1896 twenty singers of the "Orfeón" lead by Luzuriaga took the train, and later the diligence, to arrive at Mondragón that at the time was holding their Euskaras Festivities. It was the precursory group of the "Orfeón Donostiarra", which would be legally constituted on 21st January 1897.

The chronicle states that an idea was formed from the twenty enterprising singers that has lasted to our time: "To conserve and spread Basque singing".

Their first conductors were Luzuriaga and Oñate. During the first five years of the "Orfeón" life its repertoire was very short: "Jota Navarra" by Brull, "The beautiful Blue Danube" by Strauss, "Oh, Pepita" by Muller, and the popular "Boga, Boga" among other works. Even though the artistic balance was concise, the founders were recognised as performing great organisational work. In this five year period, in which they only gave about twenty concerts, a mere ninety six board meetings and twenty-nine assemblies were held.

The first few years served to organise the group and situate it in the choral field, but criteria were soon added and objectives were marked.

There have been four well-defined periods in the "Orfeón" over its long history, which are marked by the character and personality of their respective conductors: Secundino Esnaola, Juan Gorostidi, Antxon Ayestarán and José Antonio Sáinz Alfaro.