Paula Harrell at the piano. Harrell says she fell in love with music when she was four years old. (Photo:Joseph Coleman/Echo Staff Photographer)

Paula Harrell’s office in the Edwards Music Building is crowded with a baby grand piano, music journals, books and sheet music.

Her walls are decorated with prints of musical instruments and a poster of Sweet Honey in the Rock.

The new music department chair has a long history in music and she is ready for the challenge of leading the department.

“I became interested in music when I was four,” said Harrell.

“I took piano lessons and I loved the music my teacher taught me to play.”

Harrell, a Durham native, became the chair of the Department of Music on Sept. 1 after serving as an associate professor in the music department for 12 years.

“I want to see the music department move toward international recognition in all areas that we offer degrees,” said Harrell.

“We already have many excellent ensembles: jazz ensemble, touring choir, university choir, jubilee singers,symphonic band, and marching band.”

Harrell wants to improve marketing efforts so the world will know what is happening in the N.C. Central University music department.

“We need to strengthen the curriculum, increase course offerings, increase enrollment, and faculty and staff.” she said.

“The ultimate goal is to become a school of music.”

Harrell earned her music education degree in 1976 from NCCU majoring in piano and organ.

“I was the first music student in the history of the music department to give two honors recitals.”

She earned her master’s of music in church music and organ performance from Ohio State University in 1977 and her doctorate of musical arts in organ performance from UNC Greensboro in 1992.

Before working at NCCU Harrell taught general music in elementary school and was a piano instructor at North Carolina A&T University for nine years.

Harrell is popular with her colleagues and students.

“I have nothing but admiration for her,” said Timothy Holley, an assistant professor in the department.

“Out of all of the faculty here she probably knows the most about the history of the university and this department from a professional musicians prospective. It’s good to have her on board."

“She’s a very positive person,” said music industry senior Charles Sands. “She knows what this department needs. I think she’s perfect for the job ... she’s a beautiful person.

Harrell has attended White Rock Baptist Church since she was a child. She is now the organist for the church and conducts two hand bell choirs.

“My piano teacher was the church organist. He inspired me to play the organ,” said Harrell.

“I played piano for Sunday school and Bible school. At the age of 12 I accompanied the choir in the Messiah.”

Harrell’s father John D. Harrell, Jr. was a math instructor at NCCU for over 30 years.

“My parents nurtured my interest in music,” Harrell said.

“My father played the guitar when he was in college here at NCCU and my mother used to sing.”

Over 15 members of the Harrell family have graduated from NCCU. Her cousin Joy Harrell, a 1998 graduate, also studied music.