Dr. Arryl Stanton Paul

Dr. Arryl Stanton Paul Jr passed away June 11, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. He was born on June 20, 1939 in Springfield, Missouri, to Lelia Belle and Arryl Stanton Paul, Sr. Arryl was an accomplished classical pianist and Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Arryl graduated from Wentworth Military High School Academy, Springfield, in 1956. He received a Bachelor of Music from Drury College in 1960 and a Master degree in piano performance in 1962 from Wichita State University, Kansas. He continued with doctoral course work at Indiana University where he studied with notable virtuosi Walter Robert, Joseph Battista and Sidney Foster. In 1966, Arryl was offered a job as an instructor to teach piano at the University of Texas at El Paso. He accepted the job immediately because he fell in love with El Paso and its sense of community. 

 During the 1970s, Arryl’s career took off as a performer. He took a sabbatical from UTEP to take a European tour and performed solo recitals in Vienna, Austria, The Hague, Netherlands and Stockholm, Sweden. He continued his doctoral studies at the University of Arizona, earning a Doctor of Musical Arts in 1972. There he studied with the virtuoso Ozan Marsh. In his first performance with the El Paso Symphony in 1971, he played Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto #2 with Abraham Chavez, conductor. Media critics described Arryl’s interpretation as combination of many beautiful things and his tone as “superb, strong yet delicate, tender yet firm . . . this is an artist we should honor.” Arryl performed numerous faculty solo recitals with acclaim. His lyrical and expressive style was dramatic and resonating. He was an exceptional sight-reader with a phenomenal memory. Arryl was also an excellent organist and he served as choir director and organist for several El Paso churches. 

 Many of El Paso’s piano students either studied with or knew about the famous “Dr. Paul.” He received the Teacher of the Year Award from the El Paso Music Teachers Association. He was proud to be an honorary member. He became head of the piano division of UTEP’s Music Department in 1971. For three years during the summer, Arryl served as a faculty member at the Chautauqua Institute in New York where his students would participate in extremely competitive programs with scholarships. His students have won numerous piano competitions, and some have become teachers and performers themselves. His weekly master classes demanded the best from every student in all dimensions, including how to dress and bow on stage. He retired from UTEP in 2002 with the distinguished title of Professor Emeritus. 

 Arryl had friends from all walks of life. His friends loved him because he was full of compassion and empathy. He took the time to really listen. And he had an incredible, if naughty, sense of humor. He had friends all over the country and he kept corresponding with them through cards, handwritten letters, and phone calls. Arryl loved dogs, especially Doberman Pinschers. In his later years, Arryl enjoyed working on his house and cars, walking his dogs and going to the gym. He will be missed by his students, friends and family.

 Arryl is preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Hadley Paul. He is survived by cousins Jean Marie Wilson and Jean Hawkins. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Sunset Funeral Home-West, 480 N. Resler Dr.

A Livestream will be available to virtually attend services through Sunset Funeral Homes' Facebook page through:

https://www.facebook.com/sunsetfuneralhome/

(An account is not needed to virtually attend)

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial contributions can be made to Momo’s Doggies, 7241 Doniphan Dr, Canutillo, TX 79835.