A sold out Verizon Center was host to the 2010 How Sweet the Sound Finale in Washington, DC.  Music fans witnessed one of the most spirit-filled church choir competitions of the year.  The participating choirs were regional finalists selected from a 14-city U.S. tour. Grammy Award-winning gospel artists Donald Lawrence and CeCe Winans hosted the event.

Marvin Sapp, Karen-Clark Sheard, and Fred Hammond served as judges for the evening, offering some honest and often hilarious feedback.  The audience was treated to special performances by BeBe & CeCe Winans and each of the judges. All the choirs had a unique presentation style… some were very energetic with choreography, while others simply stood there and sang their hearts out.  It was obvious that many hours were spent rehearsing for this one night.  Big shout out to the bands that played live for each of the choirs.  The behind the scenes production and stage management was amazing!  Everything flowed seamlessly… the choir & band transitions, stage lighting, sound, and video production.  Thanks to Verizon for making this a first class production.

The winning choir was "Voices of Destiny" from Compton, CA performing the song "My Time for God's Favor (Presence of the Lord Remix)".  They won $25,000, a performance at the 2011 NFL Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in Dallas, and a performance at the 2011 Stellar Awards in Nashville.  During post-show interviews, choir director and pastor Michael Fisher shared a powerful testimony about how far they've come and what this win means to the members of the choir and their community.  All of the choir members are between 18 and 31, and most have never travelled outside of Compton, CA.  After their first flight ever, a tour of the White House earlier in the day, and a finale win… there was hardly a dry eye in the choir.  Congratulations!

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Videos:

• Winner: "Voices of Destiny" of Greater Zion Church Family (Compton, CA)
  
• Runner-Up: "GFC Chorale" of Greater First Church (East Chicago, IL)
  
• V CAST People's Choice Award: "Greater Mount Calvary Men of Valor" of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church (Washington, DC)

On April 19th, Milton Bingham directed the Petersburg GMWA Choir, during a performance at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Petersburg VA. Bingham conducted a workshop with the choir prior to the concert, where he taught them several of his songs. The VA Mass Choir also sang on the program, directed by Minister Earl Bynum. This was quite a treat for all who attended… and for everyone else, here are some photos from the event.

Ed Stephens introducing the VA Mass Choir

The Virginia Mass Choir

Milton Bingham directing the Petersburg GMWA Choir

Last weekend, The Virginia Mass Choir performed at Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church in Newport News VA. This concert was well attended by members of the community, who joined together in worship. The evening started out with a performance by a saxophonist, ending with a selection by the VA Mass Choir. Here are some of the highlights…

Ms. Jane singing “Holy Ghost”

Pastor Kinlock

On April 12th, The Virginia Mass Choir performed in Hopewell VA as part of the grand opening for a Smithsonian exhibit. The New Harmonies Roots music exhibit will be in Hopewell from April 12th to May 24, 2008, along with a variety of weekly lectures and concerts. The musical performances for the grand opening were held outdoors, next to the Appomattox Regional Library. Thanks to everyone in Hopewell and surrounding areas for your contribution to this event. Here are some images from the VA Mass Choir’s appearance.

On March 15-16, I traveled with the Virginia Mass Choir to First Baptist Church in Charleston WV, then to Pilgrim Baptist Church in Roanoke VA. The choir's weekend tour went VERY well… everything from a smooth and uneventful bus ride through the mountains, to a series of uplifting performances. Thanks to Randy and our driver Reggie at Distinguished Executive Transportation for a great job transporting the choir. Thanks to both churches for your hospitality, and the meals that were prepared for the choir.

VA Mass Choir concert in Charleston, West Virginia

Praise dancers at First Baptist Church's Sunday morning service

Sunday morning service in Charleston

CeCe Cotton singing at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Roanoke VA

Pastor Dwight Steele playing the organ

A week ago, I traveled to Houston TX to support a former choir director from my years at Tuskegee University. He’s now the director of the Texas Southern University Choir. On Sunday, their Black History Month Concert was successfully held at Houston’s Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Congratulations to the choir on one of their first big performances of the year! All of your rehearsals and hard work definitely paid off. Also, thanks to the A/V staff for video taping the concert (and for the chicken… lol).

Texas Southern University Choir in concert

Clyde Owen Jackson directing the TSU Choir

Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church, one of three standing room only Sunday services

Pastor Cosby preaching at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church