Musician Spotlight: Dulce Maria Tovar, Tracy, CA
I started singing at a very young age. I began with mariachi and other Mexican musical genres. I am actually still very interested in Musical Theatre. (It’s what I studied in college). I would tell those who are considering music ministry that while the music of the world is exciting; don’t forget that sacred music is forever. Once a secular song on the radio is over, it’s over, but a sacred song is still playing in heaven even when you have finished singing. Your talent is a gift from God. What you do with that talent is your gift back to him!
When I was in third grade, I joined a choir at my parish, St. Bernard’s. I kept singing in the parish even though I was not practicing my faith like I should have been. I was young and very much of the world; however, I was still very attracted to singing at church. When I was about 20 years old one of the lead cantors at our parish left to pursue a different career and I began to cover what he did. These responsibilities included cantoring for weddings and funerals, Quinceañera Masses, First Communion, and Confirmation. It was through all the work that I put into becoming a legitimate cantor (sight reading, rehearsing, examining scripture, learning how to get along with other musicians, behaving in a Christian manner, delving more into the psalms) that I slowly started to revert to Catholicism and the Christian way of life. I fully reverted and surrendered to Our Lord in 2018. Now I cantor at 2 parishes, St. Bernard’s and our diocesan cathedral--the Cathedral of the Annunciation where I often serve for Ordination, Chrism Mass, and other liturgies. I am bilingual; therefore, can serve a variety of different Masses for our English and Spanish speaking community.
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