Richard Wayne Beckford, director of bands at Florida Memorial University, passed away on December 24 following complications from a long illness. He was 59 years old.
A graduate of Miami Carol City High School, Dr. Beckford attended historically Black Florida A&M University, where he majored in music education and played tuba in the “Marching 100.” Later in life, he earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and a Ph.D. in music education.
For over three decades, Dr. Beckford served as an educator and band director at several schools. He began his career as the band director at his high school alma mater. Next, he spent 15 years as director of bands at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida.
In early 2020, Dr. Beckford was recruited to Florida Memorial University. When he began his role as director of bands, the HBCU had no instruments, uniforms, or existing infrastructure. Despite these initial challenges, Dr. Beckford founded Florida Memorial University’s ROAR Marching Band, which went on to earn ESPN’s inaugural HBCU Band of the Year award. Dr. Beckford led the band to perform in several cities, including Paris, France. Under his leadership, Florida Memorial’s HEAT HYPE Band was recently launched in collaboration with the Miami Heat professional basketball team.
In an Instagram post announcing Dr. Beckford’s passing, officials from Florida Memorial University stated, “Today, we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Richard Beckford, whose passion for music, unwavering leadership, and dedication to excellence shaped generations of student musicians. His influence will forever echo through the halls of Florida Memorial University and live on in every life he touched.”
