Hosted by CeCe Winans and Donald Lawrence, Verizon Wireless named the top gospel choir in the country at the finale of the How Sweet the Sound (HSTS) sing off at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, as reported by EURweb.com.
Nine regional finalists surrendered to the critical ears of celebrity judges Marvin Sapp, Shirley Caesar and Israel Houghton, with honorary guest Andraé Crouch, competing for up to $25,000 and the title of “America’s Church Choir.”
The full list of finalists are:
·Dallas: St. John Church Music Ministry (Grand Prairie, TX
·Atlanta: All Nations Life and Praise Church Choir (Stockbridge, GA)
·Charlotte, N.C.: Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir of Salvation and Deliverance Church (Tarboro, N.C.)
·Washington, D.C.: James E. Jordan, Jr. Adult Choir of Refreshing Spring Church of God In Christ (Riverdale, MD)
·Detroit: The Anointed Voices of Higher Ground Young Adult Choir of Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies, Inc. (Columbus, OH)
·St. Louis: Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis Choir of Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis (St. Louis, MO)
·Chicago: All Nations Choir of The Lighthouse Church of All Nations (Alsip, IL)
·Los Angeles: Family Life Center Sanctuary Choir of Family Life Center Apostolic Church (Whittier, Calif.)
·Oakland, Calif.: Christian Life Center Mass Choir of Stockton Christian Life Center, Inc. (Stockton, Calif.)
When asked if the event has inspired the recording of more choir music, Donald Lawrence, who is also the founder of the acclaimed Tri-City Singers replied, “While choir music has always been popular in churches on Sunday morning and a vital part of gospel music, I do feel that HSTS has given winning choirs the platform, funds and motivation to actually professionally record and release their choir’s music. Many of the regional and national winners have used the exposure and monetary winnings from HSTS to record and release albums. I have actually personally been involved with some of these recordings.”
The Verizon Wireless “How Sweet The Sound” finale will air on the Gospel Music Channel on December 3.
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