After all of the video submissions and voting, the finalists for Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound™ competition have been announced. The talented choirs will perform for Gospel legends, local judges such as Michael Adrian Davis of Hallelujah 95.7, and gospel music lovers.

At stake is the coveted title of “The Best Church Choir in Memphis.” The regional competition will take place Sept. 14th at the FedExForum beginning at 7 p.m. Participating choirs will compete for the title, up to $16,000, additional prizes and the opportunity to represent the region in Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound Grand Finale in Washington, D.C. in November.  

These eight choirs have been selected to perform at the Memphis Regional Competition:

Few Voices Category (6-35 choir members):

• Temple Sanctuary Choir (Memphis)

• The Voices of Harvestime (Crawfordsville, Ark.)

• Voices of Melrose (Memphis)

• Voices of Judah (Memphis)

Many Voices Category (36-100 choir members):

• Longview Heights S.D.A. Sanctuary Choir (Memphis)

• St. Mark Sanctuary Choir (Little Rock)

• The Music Ministry of East (Memphis)

• Vollintine Inspirational Mass Choir (Memphis)

The Gospel legends hosting this year’s event are CeCe Winans, Donald Lawrence and Marvin Sapp.

“Gospel music is and always has been a huge part of my life. It is such an honor to co-host the 2010 Verizon How Sweet the Sound Competition,” said Winans. “I am excited to share my passion for gospel music with the people in Memphis, where it all began!”

Tickets to Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound at FedExForum are on sale now. Floor and lower-tier seats are $7, and upper-tier seats are available for $5. For more information, visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com or www.fedexforum.com.