Verizon Wireless is once again searching for the best church choir in America in its How Sweet the Sound competition. Donald Lawrence will be returning as host and Marvin Sapp will be back as judge and performer.
The competition starts with regional competitions in eleven cities nationwide, where one choir has the chance to win $10,000 in the regional event and up to $50,000 overall. After the regional events are over, all eleven choirs will join together for the grand finale where all the choirs will compete for the chance to win over $25,000 in cash and prizes and the title of The Best Church Choir in America.

The regional competitions start in September, and the deadline to register to compete is June 15, 2009. In addition to information like your your church’s name, address and phone number and Federal Tax Id number, you’ll need a 30 second to 3-minute video audition clip and also select four songs from the approved song list, which includes dozens and dozens of songs, like Andre Crouch’s “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus,” “Faithful Is Our God” by Hezekiah Walker, “How Great Is Our God”, and “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.”
Now in its second full year, How Sweet the Sound is an opportunity to celebrate the unique ways that music connects people within communities. In 2008, the ACME Missionary Baptist Church from Chicago, Illinois was the grand finale winner of $25,000.
For more information, official rules, and to register your choir, visit the How Sweet The Sound website.
YOU be the interviewer! Here’s your chance to ask your favorite Christian music artist a question when I head to Nashville for the 2009 Gospel Music Week. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter!