Registration Open Now For How Sweet The Sound To Find "The Best Church Choir In America 2010

Three New Communities for 14-City Choir Competition

Basking Ridge, N.J.– Registration is now open for How Sweet the Sound™, which is back in 2010 and bigger than ever with the expansion to three new communities. Now in its third year, How Sweet The Sound - a national program created by Verizon Wireless - gives church choirs nationwide a chance to win the title of "The Best Church Choir in America" and up to $50,000 in cash and prizes.

How Sweet the Sound is much more than a singing competition for choirs – it is an opportunity to celebrate the unique ways that music connects people within their communities. Interested choir representatives can visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com or select Verizon Wireless retail locations for more information and to register for a chance to compete at concerts that will take place in the following cities:

• Houston
• St. Louis
• Washington, D.C.
• Philadelphia
• New York
• Detroit
• Chicago
• Atlanta
• Memphis, Tenn.
• Los Angeles
• Oakland, Calif.
• Jacksonville, Fla.
• Cleveland
• Charlotte, N.C.

"We are excited to expand How Sweet the Sound to add Jacksonville, Cleveland and Charlotte and to bring the joy of Gospel music to a new audience, " said Joe Saracino, vice president of marketing for Verizon Wireless. "Gospel is a genre that attracts people from all walks of life and we are proud to have created such a special program that celebrates music and recognizes the many volunteers who make church choirs such an important part of the community. "

Last year, Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir was named the overall winner for the How Sweet the Sound tour. According to choir director Brandon Frazier, the choir is using their prize money to record its first Gospel music album.

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 14 tour regions 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 May 17, 2010. 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.