When he was drafted in 1941, he joined the United States Marine Band, the "Presidents Own," as principle clarinetist and held the position until 1946, playing for Franklin D. Roosevelt's fourth inauguration on January 20, 1945, as well as his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery on April 15 of that year.
[citation needed] He played the premiere of Darius Milhaud's Concerto for Clarinet on January 30, 1946, with the US Marine Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Captain William F. Santelmann.
In 1946, after honorable discharge, he enrolled at Columbia University, undertaking clarinet studies with Daniel Bonade.
In addition to the DSO, Joiner played principal clarinet for the Central City Opera for many seasons.
2, (1957) by Cecil Effinger (dedicated to Richard and Kathleen Joiner),[7] and several pieces by George Lynn, including the Concert Piece for Clarinet and String Orchestra, the Cantilena for Clarinet and Piano, and Reminiscences with Folk Tunes (for Richard and Kathleen Joiner).