In 2009, in an interview for the Houston Courier Ray talks about one of his favorite sections being the “IV. Acclamation - Hallelujah, Praise the Lord”

“There is a special story behind ‘Hallelujah,’ ” Ray recalls. “It was written the night before the premiere and taught by rote to the chorus. I came in and taught it that night.”

Charles Hayes and Henry Pleas have been friends for over 30 years.  They discovered their mutual love for Gospel Mass and the composer, 15 years ago.  Charles remembers how he first came to work on the Mass and with Robert Ray before he and Henry had the idea to produce the recording.

“In 1987 I was invited to bring my Senior Choir from Chatham Fields Evangelical Lutheran Church to be a part of the Ecumenical Mass Choir Concert at Bryn Mawr Community Church here in Chicago. I was asked to play acoustic piano in the band for Robert Ray's Gospel Mass.

For most of us this was the first time we had heard or performed the mass.  Robert Ray was the musical director for the presentation, and I remember him to be knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and respectful.  He was very particular about presentation of the work while encouraging us to input our own expression. His energy was infectious, and he made the experience fun and exciting.

Some years later, I was pleasantly surprised to get a call from my friend and former colleague from the Chicago Children's Choir, Nick Page asking me to come to Boston to be the principal pianist for his community choir presentation of the mass.  He had called Robert Ray and Dr.Ray had recommended me as his first choice to perform the piano part”