Heart & Soul

Eastern High School Choir

Special Guest Eastern High School Choir

Under the direction of Tedrick Bonds, the award-winning Eastern High School Choir has become and remains one of the most sought after high school choirs in the District of Columbia metro area. The choir was founded in 1972 under the direction of Joyce Garrett, who was determined that her students would achieve a professional level of excellence. In 1987, this excellence was realized when the Eastern Choir won the silver trophy at the 1988 International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria, an award never bestowed upon an inner city choir. Upon their return, graduating choir members were offered full tuition scholarships to the University of the District of Columbia; however, only three of Garrett’s twenty seniors intended to go to college. In response, Garrett expanded the Choir’s rehearsal schedule into an after-school program four days per week that used music as a vehicle to impart core values, promote higher education, and instill the belief that excellence could be achieved despite disadvantages – hence the Choir’s motto, “Excellence without Excuses.”

In June 2009, Eastern went through an extensive physical renovation and re-launched in 2011 with only a ninth grade class. Over the next four years, another grade level was added, allowing Eastern to serve 9th-12th grade students. In 2015, Eastern’s music offerings were expanded to include vocal music during the school day, under the leadership of music teacher Tedrick Bonds. Mr. Bonds believes the vocal music program plays an essential part in providing a well-rounded education that provides students an artistic outlet while building lasting relationships. Embracing Joyce Garrett’s motto, Mr. Bonds has accepted the challenge to help students achieve excellence in education and life and is honored to serve as their director.