BYU-Idaho freshman plays piano for a Prophet
- posted: 25 Mar. 2008
- scrollarts@byui.edu
Annie McMurray, a freshman studying nursing, played the piano for President Thomas S. Monson at a special gathering at the President’s Club in Salt Lake City on March 15.
“We were allowed to choose anything from classical to jazz and we sat three tables away from President Monson and were able to play and listen to him speak,” McMurray said. “It was a great honor to be able to play and be in the same room as President Monson.”
The Church has given McMurray many opportunities, and she has used her musical gifts to serve the Lord.
“I have been the sacrament meeting pianist and that was fun. And I love playing hymns and arrangements of hymns on the piano. The piano can play a big part in the healing process for people,” McMurray said.
McMurray also uses her gift outside of the Church.
“I play for weddings and I really love doing improv jazz and classical music.”
McMurray described the competitions and hard work that it requires to be a good pianist.
“I have had awards in Encore Piano Festival, Junior Festival, Clavinova Festival, Solo and Ensemble and state a few years in a row,” McMurray said.
Parents who are both musically inclined and play piano have influenced McMurray. For example, her mother sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, teaches piano and obtained her Master’s degree in choral directing at BYU.
McMurray’s musically inclined family has influenced a small part of her drive for music. Her two older brothers also play piano.
“My oldest brother James did professional jazz piano for a while, and my brother Matt lives in L.A. and does a music scene there and does a lot of keyboarding,” McMurray said.
However, that extra little push wasn’t what really drove McMurray; she said she has always had an abiding love for the piano.
“I loved piano when I was growing up. It was my passion, the one thing I would turn to,” McMurrary said. 
