![\"Ray](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_0835-edited.jpg\")
Ray Sidney in rehearsal with students Nov. 3 at St. Francis High School. Neenma Ebeledike, OBSERVER<\/p>\nThe 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sidney is known for his soulful voice and uplifting performances, having performed at renowned venues such as B.B. King\u2019s Blues Club and the House of Blues.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sidney will lead about 70 students from four of St. Francis\u2019 top choirs: the Chamber Singers, Honors Chamber Singers Combo, Show Choir, and Concert Choirs.<\/p>\n
Ray Sidney in rehearsal with students Nov. 3 at St. Francis High School. Neenma Ebeledike, OBSERVER<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled to welcome Ray Sidney to St. Francis,\u201d said school President Dr. John Moran. \u201cHis incredible talent and deep faith will make this performance an uplifting celebration for our students. Ray\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Sidney, who has led gospel workshops, choirs, and performances worldwide, this event is about more than music.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat message of Christ was fresh 2,000 years ago and it\u2019s just as fresh now,\u201d Sidney said. \u201cStill we need hope. Still we need peace. Still we need love. What the world needs now, love, sweet love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sidney hopes students will connect not only to gospel music but also to its deeper message of love, faith, and perseverance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want them to know the words in the music are real,\u201d he said. \u201cThe message in the music is going to stay with them. I hope they take it with them and share it, because that\u2019s how it keeps growing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moran said inviting Sidney to campus reflects St. Francis\u2019 growing commitment to the arts and celebrating cultural diversity within faith traditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cSt. Francis is in a renaissance across the board; academics, athletics, and the arts,\u201d Moran said. \u201cBringing Ray here allows our students to experience authentic gospel music. It\u2019s artistic, it\u2019s spiritual, and it\u2019s cultural.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that gospel music\u2019s message aligns deeply with the school\u2019s Catholic mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Catholic umbrella is very large,\u201d Moran said. \u201cWhat connects us is our faith in Jesus Christ. It\u2019s not the genre that defines Christian music, it\u2019s the lyrics.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sidney said he looks forward to seeing the students embrace the power of gospel music firsthand.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I look at their faces during practice, I see genuine happiness and excitement,\u201d he said. \u201cThis style of music may be new to them, but they\u2019re loving it, and that just makes me excited too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students praised the experience of being directed by Sidney..<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been really exciting. I feel like we are learning more about gospel music and also the meaning behind it,\u201d Mia Martinez said. \u201cHe taught us to really think about the lyrics of the songs and who we are singing to, and I really love that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have really enjoyed it,\u201d Ilia Smith said. \u201cI sing at my church. However, this is a really different style of music for me, so I found it really enjoyable.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maria Consilini also sings at her church, where, she said, the style is \u201cnot as interactive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI find this experience very fun,\u201d she said. \u201cI love how soulful gospel music is and the movement incorporated in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sidney said he hopes people leave the event uplifted and spiritually renewed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want them to leave like they came,\u201d he said. \u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
He wants those who come seeking faith or understanding of who God is to leave with the knowledge that God is love.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want them to leave knowing that He loves them regardless of who they are or what they\u2019ve done,\u201d Sidney said. \u201cGod indeed is love.\u201d<\/p>\n
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