Samantha Stover knows that when you sing, you pray twice. Between her role as cantor at her home parish of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Little Italy and in the Cathedral of St. Andrew’s choir and instructing students as the new music teacher at Immaculate Conception School in North Little Rock, she spends a lot of time praying.
Being involved in the community and showing up even after a long day proves to be fruitful.
“Music is my biggest thing — being able to connect with the Mass in that way and being able to connect with my faith in a way that’s a little bit more thought-provoking,” she said. “You have to focus quite a bit, you have to practice and think on these things a lot if you’re going to be active in the music of the Church. It’s like a meditative practice in its own way — its own little prayer process.”
Stover, 27, said music provided her with an avenue to learn more about her faith.
“The Catholic Church is one of the integral parts of the formation of Western music,” she said. “… I think that’s important, and it’s an interesting way to develop your faith and familiarize yourself with the roots of your faith, because you have to know Church history in order to function musically.”
Now, as the music teacher, Stover can share that love of music with her students and, in turn, deepen their faith.
“The Church fosters a really welcoming space for creative people to come in and participate in that way. … I think that’s a really interesting entryway for some people to come in and eventually discover that they are more interested also in other aspects of the Church as well.”
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
“Consistency is the key to life. Showing up and doing the thing is better than not showing up at all. Also, tilt your larynx forward while you sing.”