Musician Spotlight: Anne Parkinson, Maryland
"Singing has always been an important part of my life. As a young child, my family could always hear me singing around the house. My dad called me his 'little song bird'. Most of the time, I sang the wrong words, but I was always right on pitch. I remember when I was about seven years old, God spoke to me through His Mother Mary during a beautiful May Crowning Mass. The psalmist came up to sing the Magnificat in honor of the Blessed Mother. As I listened to 'Proclaim the greatness of God, rejoice in God my Savior,' I felt an immense joy and love for Jesus. In that moment, I knew that God was calling me to cantor one day. I sat up a little higher in the pew, turned to my mother, and whispered, 'Mommy, I’m going to be up there singing one day, just like her.' I knew instantly at such a young age my calling: to sing God’s praises at Mass as a cantor. Of course, I had to say yes to God’s will!
Obviously, I knew I had to practice a great deal if I wanted to be like the psalmist I looked up to. I joined the children’s choir when I was in elementary school and continued practicing the piano. The practice was often challenging and exhausting, but my dad particularly encouraged me never to give up my music. He saw something special in me that I did not see in myself at the time. After he passed away, I knew I also had to honor his memory by continuing my music. I sang with a Broadway choir, my high school choir, and started cantoring at Mass. My choir director even encouraged me to start voice lessons. I was blessed to travel on a singing pilgrimage to Italy right after graduating high school as well. I continued my love of singing throughout college on the beautiful campus of Mount St. Mary’s University. This singing led me to the Basilica of the National Shine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is where I currently cantor.
As an adult, I continue to foster this love of music through teaching voice and cantoring. I also started a YouTube channel, where you can find my first album “To Jesus Through Mary.” The channel’s primary goal is to inspire a love for the Blessed Mother as she entrusts us to Jesus. I recently released my first official music video of Giulio Caccini’s Ave Maria. I hope to create more music videos in honor of the Blessed Mother as she is the most perfect way to her Son, Jesus.
I sing God’s praises at Mass because this leads me to Christ, who ultimately brings me true peace and joy. I want to share this joy with others, so they may also experience the beauty and mercy of Jesus in their daily lives. If you feel called to join music ministry, but are hesitant to do so, ask Jesus to give you the courage and strength to say yes. It is ultimately in Christ, we have the grace to share our treasures with others. I am incredibly grateful for the gift of my voice, which God has blessed me with, and I am so happy Blessed Mother led me to say yes through her Magnificat."
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