Joyce Garrett retired from teaching in 1999 yet continued to volunteer as choir director until 2005. In 2000, Patrick Lundy became the music teacher and associate music director of the Eastern High School Choir; and the choir released its third CD, “Let There Be Peace”, produced by Joyce Garrett and Patrick Lundy.

  • Early 2000s Eastern High School Choir
    Early 2000s Eastern High School Choir
  • Singing at Redskins Football Game
    Singing at Redskins Football Game

    Early 2000s Eastern High School Choir Directed by Patrick Lundy singing the National Anthem at a Washington NFL game

  • Joyce Garrett and Patrick Lundy
    Joyce Garrett and Patrick Lundy

    Early 2000s Joyce Garrett, Eastern High School Choir Music Director and Patrick Lundy, Eastern High School Choir Associate Music Director

Performance Highlights

  • 2000: America’s Millennium Presidential Gala at the Lincoln Memorial
  • 2000s National Anthem at an NFL Washington game
  • 2001 Yolanda Adams, I Believe I Can Fly, The Experience CD
  • 2006 A Capital Christmas, a PBS television special originated and produced by Joyce Garrett and Patrick Lundy
  • 2011 President George H. W. Bush’s Points of Lights Foundation, Kennedy Center

Following her retirement, Garrett continued to serve as Choral Master for “Christmas in Washington,” (TNT-Cable) and “The Kennedy Center Honors” (CBS-TV) until 2014. In 2016 she directed the 200-member “Voices of Tomorrow” choir at the Opening Ceremonies for the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Garrett continues to be called to provide background vocals for many top artists. For each occasion she assembles an independent choir, The Joyce Garrett Singers, composed of many Eastern choir alumni and other talented singers from the area.

Noted performances include:

  • 2009: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial
  • 2009: Super Bowl Halftime Show featuring Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in Tampa, Florida
  • 2013: Directed choirs for Diana Ross on Tour in San Antonio and Austin, Texas
  • 2016: National Museum of African American History and Culture Opening Ceremony
  • 2016 and 2020: Diana Ross and the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony “Pops” Orchestra
  • 2019: Providers singers for Mavis Staples and Katy Perry for David Lynch Foundation
  • 2022: Provided singers for the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song Honoring Lionel Richie