by Kandiss Edwards
December 28, 2025
His dying prompted an outpouring of tributes from music applications across the nation.
The traditionally Black school and college band neighborhood is mourning the dying of Dr. Richard Beckford, a longtime band director and educator.
Beckford’s dying was introduced by Florida Memorial College Dec. 26, although the date of his dying stays undisclosed. Director of Bands for Florida Memorial College, he succumbed to issues from a longstanding sickness. In 2024, a GoFundMe was began by Dr. Beckford’s daughter, Angie, to help Beckford as he recovered from a lung transplant. In response to the Could 2024 marketing campaign, Beckford’s surgical procedure was profitable, and he was on the highway to restoration.
Beckford served as director of bands at Florida Memorial College, the place he pioneered this system. Moreover, he led the ROAR Marching Band and oversaw live performance ensembles and music training initiatives.
His tenure was marked by an emphasis on musical precision, present design, and pupil improvement, with performances that drew consideration inside the aggressive HBCU band circuit.
Florida Memorial College acknowledged Beckford as a pacesetter whose dedication to excellence prolonged past performances to tutorial and private mentorship. The college acknowledged that Beckford performed a pivotal function in enhancing the visibility of the ROAR Marching Band and in getting ready college students for careers in music and training.
His dying prompted an outpouring of tributes from music applications across the nation. On Instagram, Florida Memorial College ROAR marching band posted a tribute to the person who gave a lot of himself to its establishment.
“We honor and have fun the life and legacy of Dr. Richard Beckford, whose ardour for music, unwavering management, and dedication to excellence formed generations of pupil musicians. His affect will endlessly echo by means of the halls of Florida Memorial College and stay on in each life he touched. Although he has departed from this earth, his legacy stays everlasting. Could his soul relaxation in good peace.”
Alabama A&M College Marching Maroon and White Band despatched “consolation” to these effected by Beckford’s passing and the college neighborhood as an entire.
Winston Salem State College’s Pink Sea Of Sound marching band paid tribute to Dr. Beckford extending its sympathy to all these affected.
Southern College’s Human Jukebox praised “his ardour for music, dedication to college students, and influence on band tradition.”
Greater than band applications are expressing their heartfelt sympathies. People within the HBCU band world are reminiscences of Beckford’s instructing fashion and management method.
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