Musician Spotlight:Â Maria Collins, New Baltimore, MI
"I began singing at Mass in a choir when I was six. Over the years, I took part in several different children’s choirs, but, like many young people, I was hesitant to let my voice be heard – horror of horrors – by itself. During high school, I attended a sacred music colloquium. Until that week, I had never heard sacred music performed so well, beautifully, and prayerfully. I knew I wanted to be part of something that was that beautiful and elevated."
"Gradually, fired up by my new-found love of sacred music, I became more comfortable singing alone. I began cantoring at weekday Masses. I’ll always remember the first time I sang alone at a Sunday Mass: I was sixteen, and barely managed to shakily squeak out the Vidi Aquam. It was thanks to the COVID-19 restrictions, when choirs were disallowed, that I got tricked into cantoring regularly; I have never been so grateful to be tricked into something! Now I cantor at several Masses each weekend at my parish. Through singing at Mass, I have grown incredibly in my understanding of the liturgy and the Faith. I am especially grateful for the familiarity with the psalms that I have gained through cantoring; after singing every Sunday for years, the words of the psalms feel like a part of me. Because sacred music forms an integral part of the liturgy, glorifying God in song at Mass is a huge honor. I am always humbled when I think that some of the chants that I sing have been sung by generations of holy men and women before me; I am so grateful to share in this precious heritage of sacred music!"
Maria Collins is an active sacred musician in Southeast Michigan primarily serving at St. Mary Queen of Creation in New Baltimore, Michigan.
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