The grand finale of Verizon Wireless’ wildly popular How Sweet The Sound nationwide choir competition took place on Saturday in Detroit, MI. Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir was named the “Best Church Choir In America,” winning $30,000 in cash and prizes. The choir also won the people’s choice vote.
I remember this choir from LAST year’s competition, too– they were so full of energy for God. They won this year for their impressive performance of “Anthem of Praise” by Richard Smallwood & Vision. They’ll also be performing with Donald Lawrence at this year’s Stellar Awards. Kudos!
Here’s a little clip of their regional performance that got them to the finale this year:
The competition’s runner-up was the Remnant Concert Choir (Washington, DC). Congrats to you guys, too!
Verizon Wireless has already announced that they’ll be back again in 2010. Makes sense, too, because they were selling out huge venues with their incredibly low ticket prices ($5 and $7 seats), a feat that even our top-level gospel artists can’t seem to do lately… that’s for another post. 
Did anyone here go to the finale in Detroit? Did anyone go to a regional event?
Weigh in and lemme know what you think! 
EJ, I feel the weight of glory in that video. I'm wondering did they dance again at the finals. The 2nd year was a charm for this choir as they participated last year. Will they record a cd in the future?
Hey EJ, Start that new post.....lol
Congrats to the winners. What do you recieve if you win? I know you get money, but do you get a record deal or just the money and exposure for the church?
Oh wow!!!! The spirit of God was moving. Congrats to Atlanta West Pentecostal.
What may have lacked in vocal ability was surpassed by sincerity. I love to see people simply excited to sing about God. i hear they are that amped all the time at their church. And though i didnt attend the ATL event, I did attend one of the events and I can tell you, the videos don't do justice as to how it was in that arena. What you dont see is how amped the audience was...
I was cecking this video out while at work. I had my headphones on listening to it but not watching. During that period, I heard a little slip in vocal ability. However, when I looked up from my work and at the screen, I was captivated. I had a chill go through my whole body when I saw them praising God in song. They had so much energy and zeal for what they were doing that I don't think it mattered if anyone was in the room with them. it was a blessing to see that. It wasn't a performance, it was an offering!!!
They win $30k (I think) and they also get to perform with Donald at the Stellars in January. Oh, and YES, they did shout again in Detroit. lol
Not to be critical, but the women especially need to do something about their dress. Now, I understand they come from a strict Pentecostal tradition, no make up or no dress, but Pentecostals do not dress like that anymore and they allow make up as well. And in order to impress people in this industry, you do have to have to look the part. But they sound real good and deserves to be winners.
Wow, that truly blessed me. I am not concern about the way the women look, as there are a whole lot of choirs out there that look the part with no spirit. This traditional church choir has spirit. God Bless them!
The regional event was quite tough on them vocally due to several sound issues/monitoring etc. I agree what happens live does not come across at all on the recording and the videos, that mix is just a crude/rough live mix and they said they are remixing. I'm pretty sure they said they're going to record an album in 2010 and they're pretty excited about what happened! At the Finale at Joe Lewis arena, the place was definitely worshiping and they had a hard time settling the crowd down. Every choir there was amazing though.
I was in Joe Louis Saturday and I must say that justice WAS NOT served. The judging criteria was not followed in the selection of the "best choir in America." Everyone left the arena in shock (even West Atlanta). The best two choirs that night were Remanant Choir from DC and Greater Community Temple from Memphis. It is going to be difficult for Verizon to continue to get quality choirs if they continue to let demographics and not quality dictate who they select as winners. My church choir competed in a regional last year where this same kind of thing happened. For the record our choir wasn't the best that night and s hould not have won; however, the choir that DID win was not worthy either - so it is not sour grapes, I just hate to see hard work go unrewarded. Many of these choirs put in countless hours of rehearsal and sacrifice a lot to put their best efforts forward. I am sure plenty of them don't mind losing to a deserving victor.......and honestly the locals saying "you're still winners in our eyes" is little/no consolation.
Let me just say a HUGE congratulations to not only Atlanta West Choir for winning the competition, but also to all who competed. I was at the regional competition, and it was obvious that AWPC was the best "overall". However, my opinion is just that, my opinion, just as the judges have opinions. Fortunately, "someone" has to have the final say. I place complete trust in the judges in the How Sweet The Sound competition. Jesus Christ himself didnt please every one, so it is a sure thing that not everyone is going to agree with the outcome. I say, Thank God we are still filling events with thousands of people lifting up the name of Jesus!!!
You know what, I don't think it really matter what you look like, or how you are dress. I really believe this choir was about letting the world know that singing and serving GOD is their first and last priority. Whom ever won, rather it been Pentecostal, baptist, methodist, or sinners,............. All I know is the world need to see more of GOD, and this choir showed up and shouted it out. IN SONG, PRAISE, AND DANCE.
Please don't take my previous comments as sour grapes....I agree with you, A. Carter that looks and dress do not determine if the group is a choir or not; and they did sing, praise and DANCE !!!!! My concern is that the criteria set in the rules COULD NOT have been followed in deciding the winner. Their vocal technique was TERRIBLE, one of their leads jumped off key, the list goes on and on of the faults of AWPC: if you go by the rules that Verizon developed and distributed to every choir leader. If the criteria hadn't been set out from the beginning and Verizon left it up to the opinion of the judges, then there would be no discussion from me, but that was not the case.
A lot of people are going by the two full videos of the two winners and the snipets of the other choirs that Verizon has posted on their site. Check out the full broadcast of the Grand Finale on the Gospel Music Channel this Sunday, Nov 22 at 8 pm central and/or the encores that follow.....then let's discuss. By the way: here are the judging criteria: 30% based upon presence, [including, without limitation, enthusiasm, connection with audience, and general appearance (poise, uniformity, and professional behavior)]; 40% based on technical merit, [including, without limitation, diction (clarity, naturalness, purity of vowel, and articulation of consonants), ensemble (tone, quality, consistency, projection [beauty, freedom, vitality, resonance, color], choir blend, and entrances), rhythmic accuracy (control, balances, releases, precision, and evenness of vocal line [voice, control, and full use of vocal range]), and conductor’s abilities (awareness of musical elements and choir communication)]; and 30% based on originality/interpretation (including, without limitation, dynamics/style, expression/artistry and musical interpretation).
Selma, I would like you to know that I was at the Atlanta 's How Sweets it Sounds and believe me that choir did just that in the ATL and the audience stood to their feet, I also was able to attend the symo-cast that was held in ATL and heard all the choirs, and to make things even better I sat by a group who would be bias in the judging.You see Verizon made those rules, and had to abide by them. They may have scored high in other area that allowed them to win amongst many of the choir that competed in Detroit. Don't get me wrong their were some choir that sang, like that choir from Chicago, and the choir that follow AWPC. They sang their butts off. I want to tell you this they will be on GOOD morning America Dec 22-24 singing live. You then can judge, but I see this as being more than a singing competition. BringING the HOLY SPIRIT IN THE MIST OF ALL THAT GOING ON NOW, IS WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW.
Chicago should have won!!! Evangel was the best
@A. Carter read the judges criterion and tell me where they could have scored high in other places. I think it was planned to be this way. Nothing suprises me about corporate america. What they are doing with this competition is nice, but we as the Church have to be aware not to let any root of bitterness or divisiveness to infect us. On to the next assignment. Yes the judging was off, fixed.....call it what you like. They had the finale half right.
I've been a choir member and have noticed that sometimes when your not at your best and heart is in the right place the Holy Spirit will cover you. I think that's what happened here. However, they need to do away with criteria if they gonna vote on who brings the Holy Spirit. I think going in a lot of the choirs might have made different song selections. I agree with Salma13 who stated Verizon may have a problem attracting some talented groups if they see this type of thing happening. I like the judges, it's just to me they represent a small group of artists who represent an industry that controls and manufactures the same type of music, artists and sound. I think Verizon should be leaning more towards the independent label showcase for talented choirs. They wonder why sales are slumping. It's because the industry is in cookie cutter mode. Everybody sounds the same, everybody sings with tracks, everybody does runs and riffs on every vowel and third word. I am praying the captives be set free!!!! Back to main point, It was nice AWPC got their praise on but it looked manufactured.
I really enjoyed the show in GMC last night it was very uplifting and to see the different styles across the board was very interesting and great! I was glad to see that Pittsburgh was represented very well we have alot of talent here in the Burgh at every church! I wouldn't say that AWPC praise was manufactured though because although every group was great and spirit-filled AWPC was the only choir i definitely felt didn't take this as a competition but really was there to do the job God commissioned them to do as choir members and spread the gospel through song..Dorinda said it best THE ANOINTING! it will ALWAYS make the DIFFERENCE and break the yoke, and i def felt it through my tv screen when they sang, everything may not have sounded on key all the time but it was that anointing, something we don't find alot anymore in choirs. but i wouldn't say they were manufactured ...that's how the pentecostal church gets down!
If I didn't know any better I would think that you could be a Remnant Choir Hater. What's going on down there in Pittsburgh? Holla back.
@Chad. You helped to prove my point. AWPC didn't take it as a competition and were not competition ready. However, this WAS a competition. Judging criteria were set and on several levels they did not qualify to wear the crown. @ Richard09...by my calculations, Remnant should have been the overall winner - hands down. They scored high in ALL three areas.
Salma can we find the totals for the choirs somewhere? I would love to see them. Thanks in advance if you can.
That's another issue that I have. The totals were never revealed. I have inquired, unsuccessfully to obtain them. They have stipulations in the rules for tie-breakers (i.e. take the one with the higher score in technical merit would win.....goes to show where the emphasis SHOULD have been).
WOW!!!! Is all that I can say. To think that Christians would put their name on it.
@ Salma13 i agree i would like to have seen totals also, that should be open for public if they really want to call this a competition... i know for american idol you can view total votes and everything from viewers on website or they just usually announce it on air, and your right it still was a competition their vocals were nowhere near as good as Remnant, that title shouldve been brought back here to the Burgh! but they just had something more the judges seen i guess. @Richard09 What up bruh! not sure if you were directed towards me but im no Remnant Choir hater lol Pittsburgh got real deal gospel music talent here, we seen that on How Sweet The Sound, and the fact that over this past summer Ton3x decided to use all Pittsburgh musicians instead of bringing his own in. we just need a chance here huh! Holla
As someone who was truly blessed to participate in the "How Sweet the Sound" finale this year, I want to say that I don't believe there was a single choir there who went merely to "perform." Each and every choir was there to worship the Lord and to minister in song. It was a tremendous experience to be in the company of such amazing choirs, especially to see all of our differences. We all had different styles and certainly different strengths and different ways of expressing ourselves, but it was wonderful to be able to share our love of God and the gifts He's given us. Just because there may have been some choirs who were a little more polished in their movements than others, doesn't mean they weren't the real deal. (I'm thinking specifically of City of Refuge--they were incredibly smooth, and had fabulous choreography and sound, but that doesn't mean they weren't singing for the Lord.) Anyhow, competition can be a weird thing, especially hard when it sounds like judges are expressing their belief that one group has the anointing and another does not. That's an unfortunate by-product of this type of event. I just want to go on record as saying I believe Jesus was with everyone there that weekend, and that God was using each and everyone of us to preach. I don't believe the judges were the only ones God wanted us to reach; I think we all had different work to do. I know members of one choir in particular expressed their gratitude for what we sang, so it may have been for their benefit that God called us there that night. It was a wonderful opportunity and I hope we are able to participate again in the future.
And to Richard09 (go Remnant! they were divine!), you referred to song selection at one point, but I just want to mention that the choirs don't actually get to choose what they're singing, at least we didn't. Our director wrote both of our arrangements for us, but that was after he was told what to sing (like four of the other choirs we were given different songs for the regional and the finale). Can't say strongly enough what a blessing the whole experience was. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
@SallyElizabeth....You bear my great grandmothers first name and somehow I knew you would make sense to me. All I was trying to convey is that I had questions and concers about the judging process. You eloquently pointed out the fact that the judges gave an impression that the Holy Spirit was not present with all the choirs participating...which clearly is wrong. I too also think that all the worship and praise given by the participants were elements on the Holy Spirit giving a brief visitation in Detroit.
@Richard09, I hear you and didn't mean to suggest you felt any differently. I only intended to link you to the comment about the song selection, and wanted to offer you the info I had on that. I appreciate your sentiments!
I am apart of AWPC Choir and want to go on record of saying, HSTS had to be the most INCREDIBLE event that I have ever been apart of. Every Choir that participated, Regional and in the Finale, worked very HARD and conveyed the message of Jesus Christ thru song. Everyone seemed to lift each other up. I have never met more friends in one venue before in my life. How Sweet The Sound is TRULY a way to usher the presence of the Lord into one place filled with thousands of people at one time. We may have had vocal issues, and our choreography may not have been as tight as it could have been, but the POWER of God was so strong. Not because of "US" but because of our submission to convey "HIS" message. I will say, there were GREAT choirs there and I wish that everyone could have won. It is very bittersweet to win and want your friends to win too. I pray that God continues to pour His spirit out through our choir and the other participating choirs and that we all use this opportunity to continue to SPREAD the Good News of Jesus Christ~!
@Anthony......Wow is all I can say. The message you just conveyed is powerful and ends this whole discussion. I've never competed in competition before....but this was the closest I've ever been around one. I think the issue lies with the judging not the choirs themselves. As Anthony has stated that he has never met so many nice people in one place. That's great. I'm sure the choir members are not even thinking about blogging. They are leaving that up to us fans. Anthony thanks for takin the time to give us true insight.