Biographical details
Ephraim Katz
has a military band background - performing his National Service
with the IDF "Tsahal" Band. When he finished his National Service, he
became the bandmaster (assistant conductor) of that band for five
years, and then the bandmaster of the Israel Police Band for 12
years. Through a friend, he was introduced to the South African
Army Band and in 1984 emigrated to South Africa.
He became
the conductor and musical director of the South African Army Band
upon arrival there, but soon discovered the Jewish liturgical
music scene and in 1985 got his first appointment as choirmaster
in one of the leading shuls in Johannesburg, a post he has held
until today.
As
choirmaster, he also started writing choral arrangements, and
soon became very well known for his arrangements for shul choirs.
Today his music is well distributed among all the shul choirs
of South Africa and they all sing many of his arrangements.
He has also
composed quite a few items, and many of his pieces are
arrangements of his own compositions.
At the end
of 1993, the then house arranger of the Johannesburg Jewish Male Choir (JJMC), Lior Himelstein, left South Africa and emigrated to America.
Ephraim Katz was then approached by the Committee of the JJMC and
asked to join as assistant conductor and house arranger. He
joined the JJMC in January 1994 and worked under Gus Levy, the
founder, until he fell ill in 1998. He was then asked to become
the head conductor-musical director, a position he held until the
end of 2001.
During his
time with the JJMC, he wrote many arrangements for them which all
became very popular among Johannesburg concert goers, as well
as among the choir members themselves. They were all performed in
public concerts and recorded.
A request
You
are free to download Ephraim Katz's music for your own personal use.
However, as a rule, the purpose for using his music may only be for
performances by shul choirs during synagogue services and must be free of charge.
Under no circumstances may Ephraim Katz's music be used for purposes of any business, profit or financial gain including by
way of selling or through making any other type of transaction which involves
Ephraim Katz's music/arrangements, or by performing his music in a
commercial show where entry fees are charged, or recording his music
for commercial purposes, without the express consent of the composer
in writing. Thank you!
Pieces composed by E. Katz (as stated on the music)
