Mission

The Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale, founded in 1969, through its performances seeks to preserve the performance exposure of traditional and contemporary choral compositions, written and/or arranged by African-American composers and arrangers, with special emphasis on the Spirituals.
The Chorale provides funds for and gives support to the Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Instructional Program, which provides assistance to area youngsters free of charge, who are in the pursuit of lessons in the arts, both vocal and instrumental, rental of musical instruments, teachers, teaching space, and has provided scholarships for students attending Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan.