The sound of gospel music will fill the halls of St. Francis High School at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, as renowned gospel artist Ray Sidney visits the campus to direct a special choir performance.
Sidney is known for his soulful voice and uplifting performances, having performed at renowned venues such as B.B. King’s Blues Club and the House of Blues.
Sidney will lead about 70 students from four of St. Francis’ top choirs: the Chamber Singers, Honors Chamber Singers Combo, Show Choir, and Concert Choirs.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ray Sidney to St. Francis,” said school President Dr. John Moran. “His incredible talent and deep faith will make this performance an uplifting celebration for our students. Ray’s guidance offers our choir members a rare opportunity to learn from a professional artist and to grow not just in musical skill, but in confidence and connection that comes from sharing their voices together.”
For Sidney, who has led gospel workshops, choirs, and performances worldwide, this event is about more than music.
“That message of Christ was fresh 2,000 years ago and it’s just as fresh now,” Sidney said. “Still we need hope. Still we need peace. Still we need love. What the world needs now, love, sweet love.”
Sidney hopes students will connect not only to gospel music but also to its deeper message of love, faith, and perseverance.
“I want them to know the words in the music are real,” he said. “The message in the music is going to stay with them. I hope they take it with them and share it, because that’s how it keeps growing.”
Moran said inviting Sidney to campus reflects St. Francis’ growing commitment to the arts and celebrating cultural diversity within faith traditions.
“St. Francis is in a renaissance across the board; academics, athletics, and the arts,” Moran said. “Bringing Ray here allows our students to experience authentic gospel music. It’s artistic, it’s spiritual, and it’s cultural.”
He added that gospel music’s message aligns deeply with the school’s Catholic mission.
“The Catholic umbrella is very large,” Moran said. “What connects us is our faith in Jesus Christ. It’s not the genre that defines Christian music, it’s the lyrics.”
Sidney said he looks forward to seeing the students embrace the power of gospel music firsthand.
“When I look at their faces during practice, I see genuine happiness and excitement,” he said. “This style of music may be new to them, but they’re loving it, and that just makes me excited too.”
Students praised the experience of being directed by Sidney..
“It’s been really exciting. I feel like we are learning more about gospel music and also the meaning behind it,” Mia Martinez said. “He taught us to really think about the lyrics of the songs and who we are singing to, and I really love that.”
“I have really enjoyed it,” Ilia Smith said. “I sing at my church. However, this is a really different style of music for me, so I found it really enjoyable.”
Maria Consilini also sings at her church, where, she said, the style is “not as interactive.”
“I find this experience very fun,” she said. “I love how soulful gospel music is and the movement incorporated in it.”
Sidney said he hopes people leave the event uplifted and spiritually renewed.
“I don’t want them to leave like they came,” he said. “If they came looking for love, I want them to leave knowing they are loved. [If] they came looking for joy, I want them to leave joyful. [If] they came looking for peace, I want them to leave with a peace that passes all understanding.”
He wants those who come seeking faith or understanding of who God is to leave with the knowledge that God is love.
“I want them to leave knowing that He loves them regardless of who they are or what they’ve done,” Sidney said. “God indeed is love.”
