Music Page

Ralph Katz

dumpster605 at tds dot net

last updated 10/18/2009

 

Return to main page: http://ralphkatz.pbworks.com/FrontPage

 

=> Upcoming Events: http://ralphkatz.pbworks.com/MusicEvents

=> Bookings & Lessons - The Ann Arbor Federation of Musicians: http://www.annarbormusicians.org

=> Audio clip - Dexter Community Orchestra 3/1/09 Rhapsody in Blue - Ralph Katz - clarinet glisses.mp3

 

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Clarinetist

I perform in a wide range of styles: classical, klezmer, jazz, and balkan.

My first clarinet was a gift in December, 1958, and I had my first lesson in February, 1959.

Also perform on: saxophone, frula, vocals, occasionally dumbek, rarely bass.

Before 1991, I played in community bands and pit orchestras.

Since 1991 I have almost entirely been playing Jewish, Klezmer, and Balkan music, for Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, folk dancing events, and concerts.

- Member - Ann Arbor Federation of Musicians (AFofM Local 625): http://www.annarbormusicians.org

 

 

Interview in Washtenaw Jewish News, October 2008 (pp 6-7): http://www.washtenawjewishnews.org/PDFs/WJN_Oct-08.pdf

 

Currently performing with these groups:

- The Ethnic Connection: http://www.pasty.net/~dowens/EC.htm

- Klezmer Fusion Band: http://www.klezmerfusionband.com/

- Twas Brillig and the Mazel Tovs: http://xenon.biochem.med.umich.edu/~peisach/brillig/

- Dexter Community Orchestra: http://www.dextercommunityorchestra.org/

- Vocal Arts Ensemble of Ann Arbor: http://vaeannarbor.org

- Kol Halev choir: http://www.templebethemeth.org/tbe/kol_halev

- Ann Arbor Repertory Orchestra (sub): http://music.repertoryorchestra.org/

- River Raisin Ragtime Revue (sub): http://www.ragtimeband.org

 

Venues I have performed at:

- Temple Beth Emeth (Ann Arbor, MI): http://www.templebethemeth.org

- Beth Israel Congregation (Ann Arbor, MI): http://www.bethisrael-aa.org/

- Michigan League:  http://uunions.umich.edu/league/

- Michigan Union:  http://uunions.umich.edu/munion/

- Vithosha Haus (Ann Arbor, MI): http://www.a2vitosha.com/weddings-grand-events.php

- Barton Hills Country Club (MI): http://www.tyloon.com/business_profile/CID-403301/barton_hills_country_club.html

- Travis Pointe Country Club: http://www.travispointe.com

- U of M Golf Course:  http://www.mgoblue.com/clubs/article.aspx?id=28618

- Ann Arbor Folk Dancers: http://ritter.astro.utoledo.edu/~ndm/FD/

- Gretchen's House: http://gretchenshouse.com/house5.php and http://www.astro.utoledo.edu/~ndm/FD/

- Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Music & Dance (AACTMAD): http://www.aactmad.org/

- Pittsfield Grange: http://pittsfieldhistory.org/index.php?section=sites&content=pittsfield_grange

- Lydia Mendelssohn Theater: http://www.music.umich.edu/about/facilities/central_campus/mendelssohn/index.htm

- Power Center for the Performing Arts: http://www.music.umich.edu/about/facilities/central_campus/power/index.htm

- Hill Auditorium: http://www.music.umich.edu/about/facilities/central_campus/hill/index.htm

- Ann Arbor Hands On Museum: http://www.aahom.org/

- Cranbrook Institute of Science: http://science.cranbrook.edu/

- Congregational Church of Birmingham (MI): http://www.ccbucc.org/

- Congregation Beth Shalom (Oak Park, MI): http://www.congbethshalom.org/

- The Shul (West Bloomfield, MI): http://www.theshul.net/

- Temple Israel (West Bloomfield, MI): http://www.temple-israel.org

- Congregation B'Nai Israel (Sylvania, OH): http://www.cbitoledo.org

- Dexter District Library (Dexter, MI): http://www.dexter.lib.mi.us/

- Cobblestone Farm (Ann Arbor): http://cobblestonefarm.org/

 

Significant teachers:

- Ransell Evans (Dewey Elementary School): my first exposure to an adult who could really make music with children.

- Herman Kushner: taught me the rudiments.

- Paul Schaller: taught me most of what I know about clarinet playing, in a very short period of time, after I had already been playing 8 years.

- Arnold Jacobs: corrected most of my breathing problems after 35 years of playing - http://www.windsongpress.com/jacobs/jacobs.htm

- Theodore Oien: invaluable help developing a practive regimen with limited time resources - http://www.detroitsymphony.com/page.aspx?page_id=374

- Jane Heirich: Alexander technique has kept me playing - http://www.alexandertechniqueannarbor.com/

 

=> Music Photos: http://ralphkatz.pbworks.com/MusicPhotos

 

=> Equipment Page: http://ralphkatz.pbworks.com/MusicEquipment

 

Groups I used to perform with:

 

- Ann Arbor Summer Civic Band, principal clarinet, 1986-1991: http://www.arborweb.com/cg/t0388.html

- U-Mich Gilbert and Sullivan Society (25 semester pin): http://sitemaker.umich.edu/umgass/

- Ann Arbor Civic Theater: http://www.a2ct.org/

- Ypsilanti Community Band, Eb clarinet, 1982-1985: http://hosted.wccnet.edu/ycb/

- Plymouth Symphony Orchestra: http://www.plymouthsymphony.org/

- Ann Arbor Mozart Players

- Saline Big Band: http://www.salinebigband.com/

- Residential College Wind Quintet

- University of Michigan Symphony Band

- University of Michigan Varsity Band

- South Oakland Concert Band (1964-1969): http://socbmi.org/

- Southfield Junior Symphony

 

My Favorites http://ralphkatz.pbworks.com/MusicFavorites

 

Music Links (just starting): http://ralphkatz.pbworks.com/MusicLinks

 

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