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The Compositions and Arrangements of Ephraim Katz (b. 1944)

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)

Maariv

Hama'avir Banav

Tzadik Katamar

Lecha Dodi (including "Shamor Vezachor" and "Boyi Veshalom")

Magen Avot

Tov Lehodot Lashem

Pieces arranged by E. Katz

Lo Teivoshi (Modzitz) Composer: Rabbi S.E. Taub

Lecha Dodi (as introduced by Hazan Oshi Tugendhaft)

Lecha Dodi (O Sole Mio) Composer: Di Capua

Lecha Dodi Composer: L. Lewandowski