Verizon Wireless’ How Sweet The Sound On Tour To Find The 2009 Best Church Choir In America

Basking Ridge, N.J. – How Sweet the Sound™ is back this year to give church choirs in 11 cities a chance to win the title of “The Best Church Choir in America” and up to $50,000 in cash and prizes. Starting today, registration will be open for Verizon Wireless' national competition. Interested choir representatives can visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com for more information and to register for a chance to compete at concerts that will take place on the following dates:

Sept. 19 in Houston

Sept. 21 in St. Louis

Sept. 24 in Washington, D.C.

Sept. 25 in Philadelphia

Sept. 26 in Newark, N.J.

Sept. 28 in Detroit

Sept. 30 in Chicago

Oct. 2 in Atlanta

Oct. 5 in Memphis, Tenn.

Oct. 8 in Los Angeles

Oct. 10 in Oakland, Calif.

“How Sweet the Sound is an opportunity to celebrate the unique ways that music connects people,” said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “Gospel is a genre that attracts people from all walks of life which is what makes this competition so exciting. We look forward to meeting and recognizing the many volunteers who make church choirs such an important part of the community.”

Last year, Chicago's Acme Missionary Baptist Church was named the overall winner for the 2008 How Sweet the Sound tour. According to church pastor, Reverend Bernard Sutton, the choir used their prize money to help build the congregation a new sanctuary.

Entry and Selection Process

How Sweet the Sound invites choirs affiliated with a church or other church organizations (as defined by the organization's tax-exempt ID number) within one of the 11 tour cities to enter (visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com for specific geography). Choirs interested in a chance to perform onstage in their cities must submit an application and audition video no longer than three minutes. All registration forms and audition videos must be received by June 15. To register online, visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com. The audition video may be submitted by mail, uploaded online, or dropped off at participating Verizon Wireless Communications Stores. To enter by mail, send tapes to How Sweet the Sound, 125 E. Broad Street, Greenville, SC 29601.