Alabama is not known as a hub of the music industry; however, tucked away in the Shoals of northern Alabama is a treasured piece of music history: FAME Studios. Located across the Tennessee River, only five miles away, is St. Joseph Regional Catholic School in Florence. 

During the 2024-2025 school year, Brittany Bandstra, the school’s then music and theology teacher, had an idea. She first conducted a songwriting unit, guiding the students to discuss and discern what makes a great worship song. Her students then teamed up with their classmates, turned to scripture, and prayed to come up with original worship music that came from their heart. The completion of the lesson left Bandstra with an idea. 

The school had also adopted a new Alma Mater in August 2024 composed of text “painting” a picture of “the school upon the hill” and making a humble petition for the desire to glorify, love, and serve the Lord as students at St. Joseph School should. With both pieces of music in hand, she knew what needed to come next: an original album. In the spring, the students recorded their first album titled “From Prayer to Production” in the famous FAME studios. The studio, which is owned by the family of another St. Joseph teacher, is known for its association with big names in soul music history such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Solomon Burke, and Aretha Franklin.  

As the 2025-2026 school year came to a close, Bandstra found herself back at FAME studios. The youngest voices of the school recorded the school’s Alma Mater again, while Father Chuck Deering, St. Joseph’s pastor, looked on with a proud smile. The 4th through 8th grade students recorded the original song “Anchored in Hope,” which was written by Bandstra and inspired by the school year’s theme of the same name chosen by the diocesan Catholic Schools Office. Accompanying the children were Caedmon Jones at the piano, Bandstra on guitar, and Benjamin Jones with the cello.

“The song draws heavily from images of the sea in Sacred Scripture,” noted Bandstra. “It demonstrates water as a symbol of God’s presence, mercy, and authority. In the lyrics, the listener is reminded that Christ commands even the wind and waves, calming storms and calling His people to trust Him in the midst of uncertainty. Familiar miracles referenced in the music include Jesus walking on water, Moses parting the Red Sea, the overflowing fishing nets, and the redeeming water that flowed from the side of Jesus in His crucifixion.”

For the students and the teachers, Bandstra pointed out that the experience is far beyond typical music education. “Recording in a professional studio environment teaches confidence, teamwork, discipline, and artistic excellence,” she explained. “Not only are they getting the ‘real world’ experience, but they are encountering and proclaiming their faith in a deeply personal and creative way.”

 The recording came at a bittersweet time for Bandstra. As she prepared to welcome her third child, she stepped back from teaching at the end of the school year. Even though she no longer teaches children in the school setting, she still serves the parish as the director of music. Looking back at the opportunity to record at such a famous studio, she reflected, “Muscle Shoals has long been known as a place where music with soul is born, and this young generation of Catholic students are adding something uniquely their own to that legacy: worship rooted in hope. In a world often overwhelmed by noise and uncertainty, these young musicians are offering and experiencing something refreshingly clear— a reminder that even in life’s roughest waters, Christ remains our Anchor.”

To listen to the Alma Mater, click here, and to listen to Anchored in Hope, click here.