Our Headline Performer  - The Gateways Brass Collective​

The Gateways Brass Collective is an ensemble of the ​Gateways Music Festival, which aims to be a valued resource for all classical musicians of African descent.  

​The Gateways Brass Collective recorded a radio interview, above, with Backstage Pass on Feb 15 and Feb 17, 2019. At 35:33, hear their wonderful performance of a Duke Ellington Suite. The interview is published here.

Dr. Isrea Butler
Chair, Department of Music 
North Carolina Central University

Eric Davis
Adjunct Professor of French Horn
​Hofstra University 

Richard White
Principal Tuba
​New Mexico Philharmonic

Herbert Smith
Third Trumpet, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

Leonard Foy
Professor of Trumpet
​DePauw University

Our Honorees

​Dr. Paula Harrell is a retired Chair of the Department of Music at North Carolina Central University where she served as University Organist, University Choir accompanist, Music Education coordinator, and coordinator/professor of the Sacred Music program. She also taught piano, organ and handbells. Dr. Harrell serves as the church organist at the White Rock Baptist Church where she directs the JuBellate Handbell Choir.

​Mr. Grover Wilson, Jr. is an educator, noted musician, choral director, clinician, adjudicator, writer and arranger who retired July, 2016 as a member of the distinguished music faculty at North Carolina Central University as an Assistant Professor of Music.

Coming to NCCU opened up a whole new world for me. Paula was the first black professional female organist I saw and I was so proud of her. Grover’s African American history course opened my eyes.

— Ramon Holloway, NCCU Music Education alumnus and accompanist for the BUMP Community Choir featuring NCCU alumni​