WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Anna Kate’s Song

Episode Date: April 12, 2026

Hillsdale sophomore Anna Kate Mureen talks with WRFH’s Grace Novak about her musical theater upbringing and the heartfelt story behind her first ever worship song before performing it for listeners. 

Video free Hillsdale 101.7 FM. I'm Grace Novak and with me today is Anna Kate Marine, a new singer-songwriter who we have on the radio today. She's a student at Hillsdale College, a sophomore where she's studying history. And so we're going to just have a conversation with her about her musical background. And then at the end, if you stay tuned, you will get to hear for the very first time Anna Kate's song. And it's going to be very, very exciting. It's very good. We've actually already recorded it at this point.

I should admit this. And so I've heard it and it is so good. So definitely stay tuned for that. But welcome to the show today. Thank you. Okay. So diving in, why don't you just tell our listeners a little bit about the song that they're going to be hearing at the end of this?

Have you written music before? And just like what got you into the idea of writing the song? Yeah. So I grew up with the very musical background. My mom put me in voice in piano lessons when I was three or four. and I did lots of musicals growing up. And so music was something that I always really, really loved. But when I was in middle school, COVID hit for me when I was in eighth grade.

And so I had always loved music, but I was really struggling with my faith. I had grown up in the church and was kind of at a point where I wasn't sure if this was going to be something that I was going to take ownership for for myself or just something I was going to let go. And so during those very long days at home in the COVID lockdown, I just started messing around on the piano, learned chords. I had just known sheet music before, but didn't really know how to play in the more chord-heavy way. And so, yeah, started messing around and just started asking questions of, like, who is God? What does it mean to be his daughter? And just started writing this song.

And I found this chord progression that I really, really loved. And the lyrics kind of came easy from there. So this was a song that I wrote in eighth grade that kind of overflowed out of a turning point in my faith where I really started taking ownership of my relationship with Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Okay, wait, that is just so cool on so many levels. And I have a lot of questions that spring off that. But first, I feel like we should clarify, what is the name of your song? It actually is nameless. Oh, okay.

This is exciting. But I've always just called it. already perfect completely, I guess, because that's kind of where the song flew out of, was just that truth and that belief that God is perfect, and he always has been, always is, and always will be. And so even when I don't feel perfect, the Lord is, and that's good enough. Is there like a specific piece of scripture tied to it, or is it just more generic, like just your experience with learning about God?

Yeah, I think a lot of it flew kind of out of the Old Testament, especially the Psalms where you just see pictures of like God's kingdom lasting forever. Psalm, I think 19, Psalm 27, like those pictures of God's kingdom, like us waiting and longing for that. Yeah. And so those kind of Psalms. And then also just a picture of Psalm 46 where when mountains crumble down, your word stays the same, like you never shift or change. And I think that picture is always really power for me.

for me in that season. Yeah, that's so good. Also, Psalm 19 is my favorite song, so I'm excited. Okay, wait, that's so good. So this is obviously a very worship, I mean, it is a worship song. Have you had experience, like, leading worship before? Yeah, so I led worship for youth group all through high school. So I let it, or my family actually moved around a little bit in high school. So I led worship my freshman year of high school and then my junior senior year of high school. I was on a big worship band for a big church. And that's That was really, really special. And then this past summer, I got to lead worship for summer camp. So that was really sweet and special, too. Wait, that's so good. Okay.

Also, I think it's so fun that, like, this song really developed over COVID because I've just, I feel like we're reaching that point of distance from COVID where it's like, oh, we all the way back then. But, like, so many people had such formative experiences then that, like, we still talk about. And it's like, yeah, like, that was a huge moment in my life, too. Um, okay. But so just talking about your experience with worship bands and stuff, what is, What is your musical history in general? Yeah, so I did voice and piano all the way from like age four through high school and I'm

continuing a voice classes now. I stopped piano probably around COVID and that's when I started just doing chords for fun. And then I was in over 20 musicals growing up. So a lot of musical theater with, yeah, a really great organization and that was really, really fun. What was your favorite musical or like just what were some notable moments? from that part of your life? Oh, I loved being Glinda and Wizard of Oz because at that point, I was just kind of like fitting a little edgy, like wore a lot of black and was just kind of like, ah, like, I don't want to be

girly girly. And then I was Glinda and wore a huge pink dress and had like sparkly glitter all over my face and sang all the soprano parts. And I just fell in love with her character and just her grace and her classiness. And that role was so fun for me because it just felt so different from other roles I'd played before um but that was just really fun to just kind of mess around with her songs and um be a little bit of a princess part wait okay that's so fun and that's so funny just like knowing you now because pink is such a staple color for you like i feel like i associate you with the color pink so did that like

come it started then totally that's so funny how old were you i was 14 or 15 that's so funny i feel like i'm like unlocking new pieces of information about you that i didn't know before oh thank you Okay, so just looking at your musical history in general, now you've been a student at Hillsdale for two years. So how has that, how has your music continued just like through your college life? Yeah, so I've been in private voice lessons each semester and had a recital at the end of each semester. So that's been so sweet getting to build on that with Dr. Schmidt, my professor here. And then last summer working at camp was where I got to have a lot of music with leading worship there. But other than that, just singing around with friends, campfire worship, like, yeah, it's been really fun.

Yeah. Okay. And then I want to ask about this song specifically, too, because eighth grade was about, like, six years ago. And, like, that's kind of a long time to sit on a song. So what, have you written more since then? Or just, like, tell me more about that. Yeah. So I've only written three songs.

So that was the first one. And then I wrote another song about a boy. And that was really funny. Well, kind of, angsty, but good. And then I wrote a song for a huge project, my sophomore year of high school, which was off of C.S. Louis's mere Christianity. Oh, wow. Where he gives the picture of all of us as ships. And every person is like a fleet and like, or a part of a ship and like a great fleet of God's army of people.

And just kind of wrote a song out of that. And I loved that picture and that writing that song was really powerful for me. But I haven't written songs since. I love it. I totally respect songwriters. But I feel like when I have one, it kind of flows out. it's hard to just sit down and write one. Yeah, I've heard people talk about that.

The last girl that I had writing a song, Elizabeth, she has the same experience. She's like, it just happens naturally. It comes, it comes. I personally am not like that. When I write songs, it's like writing a paper for me. Like I put a lot of time and structure into it, I suppose. But I guess that's the beauty of songwriting is it's so different for everyone. But okay, so how do you feel now that your voice and your song is going like on air

and people are going to be able to hear it? like what is this experience like of sharing your music? Yeah. I actually never told people I wrote a song or played it for anybody until this year. At summer camp, we were rehearsing for worship. And I just started playing the piano and playing it. And everyone was like, whoa, like, what was that? And I was like, oh, it's just something I wrote.

And they loved it and were really encouraged by it. And I realized that that song came out of just a really hard season for me in life. but the Lord does this thing where he can take our prisons and the things that we really struggle with and make them our pulpits in the way that we proclaim Christ. And so I just thought like, okay, this song is really close and vulnerable for me. And I also, as I've gotten into more music in high school, really see its shortcomings and the ways it isn't perfect. But that's kind of the point because God is and God is completely perfect. And so I guess I'm sharing it now and I'm really thankful that I get to you.

Thank you, Grace. Because if, yeah, I hope that if it helps someone, just one person out there, praise God. And that's really my heart towards this song. Yeah. What is like the message that you would want to go along with the song? Yeah. I just think of the pictures and the Bible in the book of Hebrews. There's this picture of Jesus as our perfect sacrifice who paid for all our sins.

And so, in just his perfection and just feeling my own. imperfection and all the way they shall fall short that he is so perfect and he gave all sufficient merits so we can be close to him and that probably just sounds like I'm preaching and stuff but I think this song is really important to me because that's just through that I just really grasp the gospel and that picture of like God's perfection and how beautiful that is that we can draw near to his throne and boldness because of how good and gracious he is in that that's so good and I will say and okay just knowing you like in person and being able to see your face it is always glowing off of you that you care so much about god and that your love is just his love for you is just written on your

face but this song particularly just really showcases that it's so it's very very beautiful and I'm really really excited to share it with so many people today because I think um everyone's going to be very touched by it and I've been touched by it even just listening to it it's been so fun guys we've been like doing all these different takes and like practicing with the sound and it's been is such a joy to hear Anna Kate in such a beautiful, heartfelt role, just sharing her love of Christ. I'm curious. Okay, this is slightly more like of a silly question. But what is your personality type? Like, are, like, is it more easy and natural for you to be like outgoing and like share your projects like this? Because I know some people are like so nervous about it.

But like, I don't know. What is your personality view on that? It really depends on the thing. I feel like this is something that has been in kind of the closet for a long time. I'm kind of like, oh, like, I feel a little emotionally removed. You know, it's just like eighth grade and a Kate song. But probably would feel, it would probably be harder to share something with that now. But I'm happy to share. So I guess in that way, more outgoing. Yeah.

I feel like, okay, I love listening when I'm home. My sister and I, we will just drive around and listen to the radio. Usually the country radio, but we'll just listen for like hours. we waste so much gas money this way it's not even funny but um it's always so fun when they have like the artists on to talk either about this song or just like like honestly even sometimes just hearing a voice speaking versus singing is such a different experience you know it i always think it's so fun when they just share a little information about themselves so i feel like you should you should just share like what's like the the bio under anacate's name that people should know about you

as they listen to your music. Oh, the hits. Okay, well, I'm the oldest of four, so I feel like the oldest daughter tendencies are definitely there. Also an oldest daughter, I understand. Yes. I grew up in Dallas, Texas, but my family moved around a bit, so I went to several different high schools and got to move around in elementary school. So I feel like that was really cool because it just taught me how to be a friend and get to meet a lot of different people. I love music. I love musical theater. I love camp because camp is a place where it's totally socially

acceptable to be 100% of an extrovert and seeing a dance and laugh and all the time. So I love camp. And that's a really big part of my testimony as well. But yeah, I love history too. That's where I'm studying here. And I feel like those are all the big things. Yeah, that's so good. Also, fun fact about Anna Kate, We're actually co-workers and she came back after, what was it, fall break? Oh, yeah. Or Thanksgiving break maybe? I can't remember. And she just went skydiving just for fun one weekend as part of the camp thing.

But she's very, very cool. Okay. So I guess I'm almost done with my musical questions for you. But my last one for now, actually I always say that and then I always think of four more questions. So I probably should stop promising that it's going to be the last one. but um what what do you see like your musical future looking like like do you imagine yourself leading worship when you have a family and or at a church sometime in the future or just walk me through that yeah i think after college and voice lessons here i probably won't do music anymore in a formal way but every time i babysit i love

singing for the kids and we just sing just for a really long time every time um so if i ever have kids I think that will be so special just singing to them all the time and just having a culture of just being a singing family. And yeah, I'm really excited about that if the Lord opens that door. That sounds so good. Also, I did think of another question as expected. But this is not musical. But I'm curious as well, just what are your plans for your future just in general? Yeah.

I would love to teach high school history at the classical school I went to for a year. And yeah, so I feel like that. If the Lord opens the door, I'd love to do ministry, women's ministry, just getting to serve women. And wherever church I go to as an adult. Other than that, I'm really open. I feel like I see so many opportunities and I'm just really excited to see what the Lord has. Yeah, that's so, so exciting. And you're so right.

It's so hard to predict where we'll be because God just works in such mysterious ways with the paths that he sets in front of us. But, okay, I want to just thank you for being here today. And for those of you who are just now tuning in, this is Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM. I'm Grace Novak and I'm talking with Anna Kate Marine. And we are just about to hear your song. So as we are about to tune into that, do you have a favorite line or anything particular that people should be aware of while they're listening? Every line in the bridge was just straight out of the heart. So in the bridge part where it's like even though my facade is failing, I look to you're radiating

and like just those lines throughout like even when I am struggling and falling short, Lord, you are good and you're prevailing. And those lines are really near and dear to my heart. Yes. Okay. Also, I agree. As I feel like kind of a little expert on the song myself, that I heard it so many times. But I also love the bridge so much because, and this is a more superficial reason to love something. But your rhymes are just so good. Every time like when I was listening to it, the first one was like, oh, like, yeah, that's like perfect. That fits really well there. But it also like hits so deep in the heart and it really is.

Just so beautiful. So without further ado, here we go. Hi, my name is Anna Kate and this is my song. In this shadow of stars and wonders, whirling with lightoscopic colors in this crazy masquerade. you stand firm while all those fates you should shine some stay the same even when mountains tumpled down in this blur of faith and factors

your word stands and even shine some orange because you're all right you who are just now tuning in this is Radio Free Hillsdale 101.1.7 FM I'm Grace Noback and with me today is Anna Kate Marine and you just listened to her original song on air for the first time. Very, very exciting. Okay, so now you just heard your song and everybody did too. How do you feel? I feel good. I, yep, totally. Open hands. Yeah. I feel good. I feel good too. It is a good song and it is such a blessing to everyone.

Well, it's been such a joy and pleasure to have you here today. And I'm so glad that we got this experience of your music, but then also just talking to you and getting to know you and um i know all of our listeners and myself have been just very blessed by the experience thank you grace it's been a pleasure all right well thank you so much and make sure to tune in next time for more original songs by hillsdale college students on radio free hillsdale one of one point seven fm