Leonard Burford

Dr. Leonard Burford, music department chair from 1937-61, wrote ACU’s school song and founded ACU’s a cappella chorus, the second oldest group of its kind in Texas, despite losing his sight at age 28.

Burford came to ACU as an instructor of music specializing in piano, voice, theory and choral work in 1932. He was head of the Department of Music at ACU from 1937 until his death in 1961. He received a degree in education from ACU in 1925, and during summers he studied at schools including Berkeley, Chicago Musical College, Columbia University and the Julliard School of Music. He received his master’s degree in 1937 and his doctorate in 1952.

Burford compiled 86 religious songs in Braille, in addition to a tract on church music, and he was a contributor to the Braille magazine edited by Paul Witt. He also served as song leader at College Church of Christ and was active in the Abilene Lions’ Club.