Making an Impact, A Legacy of Music, Jean Baldini

Finding the best way to honor a wife, mother and mother-in-law of a family of Pirates led to the creation of the Jean A. Baldini Choir Music Scholarship, the music department’s first endowed scholarship.

After Mrs. Baldini passed away in August 2010, her husband, longtime regent and trustee Robert E. Baldini ’53 was looking for ways to build a lasting legacy to his wife of 58 years.

Because music filled her life, a music department scholarship was a natural choice. Inspired by her father’s love of music, Mrs. Baldini’s singing echoed through her home, and she organized frequent family trips to Broadway musicals.

Her family told these stories during her funeral at Saint Vincent Martyr Church in Madison, N.J., where granddaughter Lauren Bland sang at the offertory, grandson Jeffrey Bland played the bagpipes at the recessional, and daughter Vivienne Baldini Carr ’90/M.A.E. ’93/Ph.D. ’01 sang during communion. Now an associate education professor, Carr belonged to the Seton Hall choir as an undergraduate.

Recalling the Mass, Joseph P. Guasconi, senior director of principal gifts and gift planning, had an answer for Baldini on how to dedicate money contributed to Seton Hall in his wife’s memory by family members and others.

“Those who knew jean know that she was passionate about the role that music can play in one’s life,” University President A. Gabriel Esteban says. “It only seemed appropriate that the Baldini family would honor her memory and her love of vocal music by creating the first endowed scholarship in the music department.”

Two scholarships are awarded each year to students with a passion for choral singing.

“The Seton Hall Choir Program is one of the gems of the University’s cultural and curricular offerings. To be a choir member is a privilege, and honor and a joy,” says Dena Levine, music department chair and associate professor of music. “We are deeply grateful for the Jean Baldini Endowed Choir Scholarship and, in accepting this gift, we honor the name of Mrs. Baldini and acknowledge the fine work of these bright, young people.”