Herbert Kapfer was born in Vienna, Austria and grew up on a farm in Hollabrunn. He graduated from high school. He received piano and organ lessons at an early age. At the University of Vienna he studied Latin, Greek and German. He returned to Hollabrunn to teach Latin and Greek. Since 1970 he has served as musical and choir director for the Stadttheater there, among other posts. Since 1976 he has been the musical director of the cathedral in Klagenfurth, for which he has also composed many smaller works. He was also the musical director of the Carinthian music association. He has conducted large choir and orchestra concerts in Austria and abroad. The city of Klagenfurt as well as the state of Carinthia has honored him and the Vatican raised him to the Order of St. Sylvester. He retired in 2001.