Love of Music Inspires Gift to Institute of Sacred Music

Michael Moore

The Catholic University of America’s St. Thomas Aquinas Society recognizes Michael Moore for his generous $100,000 bequest intention to the University's Institute of Sacred Music.

Music has long been a part of Michael's life. "My mother was always singing while she worked around the house or outside, usually Irish tunes she had learned as a girl," he said. "My dad had been in the band in high school and enjoyed teaching me traditional American folk songs. Fortunately, I grew up on a farm so we could sing as loud as we wanted and not worry about the neighbors."

Michael fondly recalls listening to classical music while recovering from measles when he was 6 years old. "My folks would play those old 45-rpm records on my child-size record player. I would ask them to play one specific piece over and over again—Tchaikovsky's ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’—and it was mesmerizing. It helped me get through those feverish times."

As a child, Michael took piano lessons and joined bands and choirs. His participation in musical groups extended through high school and college as well. "Some of the most inspirational moments of my life have been while singing in choirs at Christmas, during Holy Week and Easter, and at diocesan ordinations," Michael said. "In college I learned to play the organ and played at weddings and funerals in addition to weekly services at our local church. At Christmas and Holy Week it was often a toss-up as to whether I would serve as the organist or a choir member."

As Michael planned his will, he wanted to support music education, especially for students set to become organists, choir directors, and composers and carry on the tradition of centuries of sacred music. "It is very important that I help others experience the same excitement, joy, and spiritual fulfillment music has given me," he said, adding that although he'd never been to Catholic University or Washington, D.C., "It was also important that I find a Catholic institution faithful to the Magisterium of the Church. Catholic University fits those criteria."

Michael contacted the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art in mid-June and spoke with Tim McDonnell, who heads the Institute of Sacred Music. Through discussions with him and University Advancement staff, Michael decided to fund an endowment through his will named in honor of his parents to support undergraduate and graduate scholarships. He also made a four-year pledge to assist with scholarships to be used by the sacred arts program as needed and to support the discretionary needs of the Institute of Sacred Music. "I feel the gifts to Catholic University honor my parents, who started me down the musical path," he said. "Hopefully, they will provide others with the opportunity to enjoy their participation in music as much as I have and help continue the Church's beautiful tradition of praising and worshiping God through His gifts of song and music."

You can create a gift that honors loved ones and supports Catholic University's future needs through a planned gift. Contact Isabel de la Puente at 202-319-6914 or delapuente@cua.edu to discuss the gift option that's right for you.