Former Southfield music teacher Lamar Willis, already facing multiple child sex crime charges, is now under fresh scrutiny after his name appeared on the leadership pages of the Willis C. Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale. Prosecutors say that listing raised red flags because his bond in the criminal case bars him from contact with anyone under 18, and the choir has youth programming tied to its mission.
Choir Listing Prompts New Look At Bond
The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office says Willis is prohibited by his bond conditions from having any contact with minors, and that investigators were alerted after the chorale's online leadership listing surfaced. "The safety of children is our primary concern," Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Williams told Local 4, adding that prosecutors will work with the court to ensure there are consequences if any bond terms are violated, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Charges, Choir Role And Group’s Initial Response
Willis, a former Southfield Public Schools music teacher, is charged with four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of accosting children for immoral purposes. At the same time, the Willis C. Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale lists him on its leadership page as Assistant Director and Accompanist, while the site describes an Instructional Program that offers free music lessons to children and teenagers. That combination, prosecutors say, is exactly what triggered concern about possible overlap with youth programming, according to Our Own Thing Chorale.
Student Accounts Of Boundary Issues
According to prosecutors, the alleged criminal conduct took place on school grounds during the 2022–23 school year. Parents who spoke to WXYZ said their children reported boundary-crossing behavior, including unwanted hugs and inappropriate comments. They told the station their kids felt uncomfortable around Willis and that the Southfield district placed him on leave once the investigation began, according to WXYZ.
Where The Case Stands In Court
Oakland County prosecutors say investigators interviewed about 15 children and concluded there are five alleged victims, with incidents dating to the 2022–23 school year. Court records show Willis is scheduled for a pretrial conference on July 23, with a tentative trial date set for August 10. Prosecutors filed a notice last December seeking to introduce other-acts evidence in the case, and the chorale told Local 4 that Willis' contract term ended June 30 and that he is no longer associated with the group, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Parents And Community Reaction
Parents have described the accusations as "very egregious" and told WXYZ they were relieved their children came forward and that the district took action. One parent said her child reported being touched in ways that made them uncomfortable, and others said Willis' reputation as a "cool" teacher may have helped mask troubling conduct, according to WXYZ.
Choir Stresses Youth Program Is Separate
The Our Own Thing Chorale has emphasized that its main adult chorale and its Instructional Program are separate operations. The leadership listing places Willis in a musical role for the 2025–26 season, while the group notes that the Instructional Program is run independently, according to Our Own Thing Chorale.
What Comes Next
Willis is expected back in court later this month for the pretrial conference, as the prosecutor's office continues to monitor for any bond violations tied to his contact with minors. Southfield officials had previously urged anyone with information related to the case to contact law enforcement or use the state's OK2Say tipline after the initial 2023 probe began, according to C&G Newspapers.
