The Power and Possibilities of Giving Music from The Maloney Society

Live music fills the Kulsar & McCarthy Lobby each day thanks to the generosity of Carol Fallon Maloney ‘68 and her husband Peter. A vintage Steinway baby grand piano, which originally belonged to Peter’s mother Jeanne Cawley Maloney ‘40, now graces the welcoming space to the great pleasure of Ursuline students, faculty, and staff.

“This is music to my ears,” says Carol with a smile. She explained that the pristine instrument had been in the family since her mother-in-law Jeanne was a young girl. Jeanne‘s father purchased the piano for the family and all the girls took lessons. The extended family, which includes eight Ursuline alums, spent countless hours over many decades practicing and playing the piano.

After years of bringing song and joy to the Maloney family, Carol and Peter decided that the piano needed a new home. Carol put it simply, “A piano needs to get played.” Ursuline, with its successful completion of the new Kulsar & McCarthy Lobby, came to mind. The lobby provides a beautifully appointed, light-filled, expansive new stage for the Steinway. Since March 2022, it stands in place, poised and ready to inspire the next generation of Ursuline students. To Carol and Peter‘s delight, it didn‘t take long!

Sophomore Isabella Wuestenhoefer ‘25 enthusiastically credits the Steinway as an inspiration. “Music is meant to be shared,” she offers. “When I played the piano for the first time here at Ursuline, it felt as though a whole new facet of music was unlocked for me. I was floored by the sheer quality of the sound and how wonderful it makes even the simplest pieces sound.”

Her enjoyment sparked an idea. Isabella and a group of fellow students formed The Maloney Society, a student club dedicated to playing live music at school events which results in numerous service opportunities. For Isabella, connecting her own Godgiven gift for music with her commitment to Serviam felt natural and she didn‘t stop there.

Thanks to a suggestion by Sr. Pat Schifini OSU, Isabella now extends her passion for music beyond The Ursuline School to the New Rochelle-based organization, Songcatchers Inc. The group, dedicated to reaching peace through music, provides affordable access to high-quality music education, training, and enrichment for local children and their families. Isabella‘s eyes light up as she talks about her experience. “We‘re dedicated to teaching underprivileged children how to play instruments,” she explains. Piano is her specialty.

This comes as no surprise to Mike Delaney, Ursuline security officer, whose close proximity to the lobby grants him a frontrow seat to the impromptu piano performances that erupt after school each day. “The girls seem to lose themselves in the music” he beams. “Sometimes when I‘m on the phone, callers will ask what I‘m listening to. They‘re so impressed when I tell them it‘s our students playing the piano!” Mike is quick to point out that he sees first-hand how the piano helps to draw some students out of their comfort zone and share their love of music with the rest of us. He notes that if it weren‘t for the Maloney family‘s generous gift, some students may never come across an instrument like this, much less be encouraged and invited to play it.

Even His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan took notice during his September 15, 2022 visit to celebrate Ursuline‘s 125th academic year. The lobby was crowded with visitors, alumnae, students, faculty, and staff. After the Cardinal blessed the beautiful cross that overlooks the new space, he turned his attention to the musical trio at the piano. The Cardinal was heard to say, “Spectacular!”

The entire Ursuline community is deeply grateful for the Maloney family‘s decision to share one of their most beloved treasures with the place that helped to shape their matriarch — Jeanne Cawley Maloney ‘40, daughter, sister, mother, motherin-law, grandmother, and proud Ursuline alumna. For their part, Carol and Peter Maloney are awash with joy. “For us, it‘s all about the students and we are thrilled to hear that today‘s Ursuline girls are enjoying the piano!” Carol enthused. Not only is their thoughtful donation a heartfelt and enduring way to honor Jeanne, but it also serves as a telling reminder of the power of giving and its limitless possibilities for generations to come.