Great NBC News piece on Voices of Destiny, which won “Best Church Choir in America” at the “How Sweet the Sound” competition in Washington on Nov. 13 at the Verizon Center to its feet.
Howard Woolley, Verizon’s SVP of Public Policy, presents Dr. Oliver Williams, Executive Director of the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community, with a $50,000 donation from Verizon Wireless as part of the finale of the best gospel choir concert event series called How Sweet the Sound. The finale was Saturday night in DC and was co-hosted by Donald Lawrence and CeCe Winans (pictured).
The Finest Choirs In The Country Will Compete For The Title Of “The Best Church Choir In America” At Verizon’s How Sweet The Sound Finale
On November 13, over 12,000 people will gather in Washington D.C. to be uplifted and inspired by gospel choirs from across the country, ready to witness the grace and gifts of the biggest names in gospel music today!
These northeast choirs will be giving it their best on the 13th:
- Philadelphia: The Sounds of Life Giving Word Family Worship Center (Willingboro, N.J.)
- Washington, D.C.: Greater Mount Calvary Men of Valor of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church (Washington, D.C.)
- Newark, N.J.: Marble Community Gospel Choir of Marble Collegiate Church (New York, N.Y.)
Downtown Newark, NJ was the setting for the New York Metropolitan area Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound event on Wednesday, September 22 at the Prudential Center. More than 7,100 people were in attendance and over 1300 phones were collected for our HopeLine program. The Newark event also featured a surprise special VIP - Gospel singing legend Ms. Cissy Houston. The video footage includes all the winning choirs and clips of their performances.
Verizon Wireless Columbia Call Center Director Sharon Maestas Director recently spoke at the Sistercare Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on September 23.
She discussed our long-standing partnership with Sistercare to help prevent domestic violence, our HopeLine program, and How Sweet the Sound. In addition, keynote speaker State Senator Joel Lourie echoed Sharon’s comments on the importance of domestic violence awareness.
How Sweet the Sound - Washington DC - September 18, 2010
The winning choirs were:
Overall Regional Winner: Greater Mount Calvary Men of Valor
Large Category Regional Winner: Greater Mount Calvary Men of Valor
Small/Medium Category Regional Winner: BRYDGES
V CAST People’s Choice Award Winner: Greater Mount Calvary Men of Valor
HopeLine Winner: Sanctuary Choir (136 phones)
How Sweet the Sound, Philadelphia - September 17, 2010
The winning choirs were:
Overall Regional Winner: The Sounds of Life
Large Category Regional Winner: United Voices of Ford Memorial Temple
Small/Medium Category Regional Winner: The Sounds of Life
V CAST People’s Choice Award Winner: The Sounds of Life
HopeLine Winner: Voices of the Lord Choir (432 phones)
Announcing: Verizon’s How Sweet The Sound Tour!
The national gospel choir competition gives church choirs across the country a chance to win the title of “The Best Church Choir in America” and up to $50,000 in cash and prizes.
CeCe Winans, gospel industry legend and winner of numerous GRAMMY® and Stellar Awards, will join co-host and GRAMMY-winning songwriter, producer, arranger and music director Donald Lawrence as the tour emcee at each of the 14 regional competitions and the finale. Marvin Sapp, Hezekiah Walker, Byron Cage, James Fortune, Dorinda Clark Cole, Fred Hammond, Kurt Carr, Richard Smallwood and more will join the competition as judges.
Dates are:
- Houston (Sept. 9, Toyota Center)
- Jacksonville, Fla. (Sept. 11, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena)
- Memphis, Tenn. (Sept. 14, FedEx Forum)
- Philadelphia (Sept. 17, Wachovia Center)
- Washington, D.C. (Sept. 18, Verizon Center)
- Newark, N.J. (Sept. 22, Prudential Center)
- Cleveland (Sept. 24, Quicken Loans Arena)
- Detroit (Sept. 25, Joe Louis Arena)
- Chicago (Sept. 27, United Center)
- Charlotte, N.C. (Sept. 30, Time Warner Cable Arena)
- Atlanta (Oct. 2, Philips Arena)
- St. Louis (Oct. 5, Scottrade Center)
- Oakland, Calif. (Oct. 9, ORACLE Arena)
- Los Angeles (Oct. 11, STAPLES Center)
More info here.
