The Song of Jonah
The Song of Jonah
for soloist, choir, and orchestra
An original cantata in three languages, featuring Cantor Justin Callis, the Joint Choir of Hebrew Union College and the Jewish Theological Seminary, Koleinu, Shir Chadash, and Shirei Chesed
Scott Stein, conductor
Temple Israel of the City of New York
New York, NY
Cantorial Student Justin Callis Fulfills Lifelong Dream, Composing His Own "Song of Jonah" - November 8th, 2024
Cantorial student Justin Callis recently fulfilled a childhood dream by composing “The Song of Jonah,” a cantata for soloist, choir, and orchestra. Inspired by his early experiences with a musical on the Book of Jonah, Callis blended Hebrew, Yiddish, and English in his work, which debuted at Hebrew Union College before a performance at Rodeph Sholom Yom Kippur. The performance featured both Callis’ original composition and rare Jonah-themed pieces, including an American premiere of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s work.
The Song of Jonah
for soloist, choir, and orchestra
An original cantata in three languages
Congregation Rodeph Sholom
New York, NY
“Justin’s composition represents exactly the kind of innovative, thoughtful scholarship we hope to inspire at Hebrew Union College. The Song of Jonah demonstrates Cantor Callis’ ability to blend traditional liturgical sensibilities with contemporary compositional vision, creating something that honors our sacred tradition while speaking powerfully to today’s congregants. It’s the kind of work that will resonate both in the concert hall and during our most solemn moments of prayer; it is a true achievement, created when he was still a cantorial student.”
— Cantor Jill Abramson ’02, Director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music