Dr. Richard Beckford is a highly sought-after band director, clinician, prolific music arranger, composer, and creative drill writer. His music and shows have been performed by numerous high school and college marching bands as well as jazz ensembles both nationally and internationally. 

Dr. Beckford is best known as a visionary and builder of bands. He has established and sustained thriving band programs in schools where support and resource were often limited at best. He is frequently referred to as “The Pied Piper of Bands” for his ability to attract a multitude of students to his band programs and for his capacity to motivate and inspire them to excel. His students have become leaders, educators, mentors, musicians, Grammy award winners and productive citizens of their communities. He is amongst the most celebrated and revered band directors of our time.

​

Dr. Beckford has been an educator for over 30 years. Bands under his direction have been recognized for their outstanding musicianship and performance of significant literature. He started his career at Miami Carol City Senior High School (his Alma Mater), where he served as Director of Bands for 12 years and cultivated outstanding marching and concert bands and a nationally recognized jazz ensemble that performed at numerous venues locally and around the country.