Experience a night of cinematic and symphonic brilliance as the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival reunites with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and Turner Classic Movies for its 25th Anniversary Gala Concert on Monday, October 20, at Atlanta Symphony Hall.
Orchestral & Vocal Highlights Include:
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) – “Tradition” — Jerry Bock*
The Ten Commandments (1956) – “Suite” — Elmer Bernstein
Sophie’s Choice (1982) – “Love Theme” — Marvin Hamlisch
Funny Girl (1968) – “Don’t Rain on My Parade” — Jule Styne*
Cabaret (1972) – “Cabaret” — John Kander & Fred Ebb*
Schindler’s List (1993) – “Theme” — John Williams
An American Tail (1986) – “Somewhere Out There” — James Horner*
Chariots of Fire (1981) – “Titles” — Vangelis
Blazing Saddles (1974) – “Main Title” — John Morris*
High Anxiety (1977) – “Main Title” — John Morris
The Producers (1967) – “Suite” — John Morris
The Prince of Egypt (1998) – “When You Believe” — Hans Zimmer*
(*Selections marked with an asterisk include vocal performance.)
Hosted by TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz, this world-class event showcases the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performing iconic Jewish film scores, celebrating the deep connection between music and cinema while honoring the legacy of Jewish artists and cultural storytelling from around the world.
The concert also brings together two of Atlanta’s most storied faith communities — The Temple Choir, under the direction of Cantor Tracey Scher, and the Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir, led by Minister of Worship & the Arts, Dr. Patrice E. Turner. Both ensembles are longtime partners of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, reflecting the festival’s bridge-building mission across cultures and traditions.
Joining them on stage are three of Atlanta’s most acclaimed theatrical voices, Brad Raymond, Deb Bowman, and Leigh Ellen Jones, beloved for their powerhouse performances on the Alliance Theatre stage and beyond. Together, these choirs and vocalists infuse the program with local artistry and star power, bringing beloved movie moments to life in a way that only Atlanta can.
A centerpiece of the evening will be a salute to Mel Brooks and his longtime music collaborator, composer John Morris, whose gleefully irreverent scores for Blazing Saddles, The Producers, and High Anxiety lampooned Hollywood genres while redefining the sound of screen comedy.
“This lineup showcases a remarkable diversity of composers, musical styles, and film genres that together have shaped both cinema history and Jewish cultural memory,” said Kenny Blank, Executive & Artistic Director of AJFF. “These scores capture joy, resilience, and identity, while bearing witness to history. They remind us how these film scores have defined some of cinema’s most unforgettable moments.”
“Film music is the heartbeat of cinema, and these selections prove why,” said Ben Mankiewicz, TCM Primetime Host and emcee for the concert. “From sweeping epics to sharp satire, the genius of these composers ensures that Jewish stories and voices resonate across generations.”
“It’s a privilege to collaborate with AJFF for this anniversary celebration,” said conductor Stuart Chafetz. “This program spans decades of unforgettable film music, brought to life by the ASO and enriched by TCM’s insight. It’s an evening audiences will never forget.”
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