(Garden Grove, CA) Oscar nominated for his score to The Passion of the Christ, composer John Debney is bringing his Passion of the Christ Symphony to the Crystal Cathedral on Sunday, September 11 at 8 pm with doors opening at 7:30.  "I wanted to do my part to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina through this concert benefitting The American Red Cross.  The American Red Cross constantly assists victims of tragedies including their tireless work with survivors of the World Trade Center disaster four years ago," explains Debney. "In this time of utter tragedy and despair,  we realize we are one in the brotherhood of humanity."

Those of all faiths are invited to the free concert in which 100% of all donations will directly benefit the American Red Cross's hurricane Katrina relief fund.  All musicians and Crystal Cathedral staff are donating their time and efforts.The Cathedral is located at 12141 Lewis Street in Garden Grove, CA.

Written and conducted by Academy Award nominated composer John Debney, The Passion Symphony had its worldwide premiere performance on July 6th in Rome and was attended by several top members of the Vatican, including Archbishop John Foley, who later bestowed the Pope's blessing.  Sunday's performance will feature a large choir and orchestra, and will include special guest vocalist Lisbeth Scott. 

The symphony is a major new work based on and drawing from themes Debney composed for the film, the score for which won Debney an Academy Award nomination earlier this year.  The score also was honored with a Dove Award for "Instrumental Album of the Year" at Nashville's 36th Annual Gospel Music Awards.

This year Debney became the youngest composer to ever receive ASCAP's prestigious Henry Mancini Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary range in scoring some of the most popular films of the last few years including The Princess Diaries (1 & 2), Elf, Sin City, Spy Kids, The Scorpion King, The Pacifier, Liar Liar and The Passion of the Christ. He recently completed scoring the Disney animated feature, Chicken Little; the sci-fi adventure, Zathura; and the family drama, Dreamer: Based on a True Story, featuring in  the score violin virtuoso Joshua Bell.