Verizon sponsors How Sweet The Sound at Scottrade
By American staff
“We recognize music unites communities and is often a cornerstone element of how people celebrate life,” said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless.
“How Sweet The Sound is much more than a singing competition – it is an opportunity to celebrate the unique ways that music connects people within the community.”
How Sweet The Sound is a nationwide competition that will give choirs in 11 cities from coast to coast a chance to compete in the national grand finale for a cash prize of $25,000 (and the title of the best church choir in the U.S.).
This nationwide celebration, sponsored by Verizon Wireless, starts here in St. Louis this Saturday, September 13 at Scottrade Center. Doors are at 6 p.m. and the event at 7:30 p.m.
The host in St. Louis is Donald Lawrence, with Marving Sapp judging and performing, Smokie Norful judging and possibly performing and Dwight Stone also judging.
Tickets are $5 and $7 and available at participating Schnuck’s and Macy’s locations, by calling 314-421-440 and at ticketmaster.com.
The local choirs that will compete on Saturday have already been selected (the competition has been advertised for weeks), but there will be a gospel karoake event as well.
The four choirs in each category (large and small) per region that received the highest number of online votes will be invited to participate on stage Saturday. The local celebrity judges will vote to determine the finalist choirs that will be awarded the $10,000 cash prize.
There will be two finalists – one from each category. The two winning choirs from each region will then head to the grand finale to compete against choirs from across the country for the $25,000 prize in November.
For more information, call 1-800-230-0053, email help@howsweetthesound.com or visit www.howsweetthesound.com.
Helping ex-offenders
Manasseh Ministry will host its second annual “EX-MAD: Ex-Offenders Making a Difference” dress-and-tie dinner and fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 20 at the New Northside Family Center, 5939 Goodfellow.
This year’s guest speaker will be teen motivation speaker Hezekiah Griggs. Doors open at 4 p.m. with workshops starting at 4:30 p.m. Workshops will be led by Ephren Taylor, the youngest African-American CEO of any publicly traded company – City Capital Corporation. Dinner will be served at 6:20 p.m. KMOV anchorwoman Vickie Newton will serve as the awards presenter and Michael and Denean Catching of Healthy Marriage, Family and Relationships will serve as emcees.
For more information and ticket prices, call Richard Jackson at 314-732-7340.
EX-MAD’s mission is to locate resources for ex-offenders integrating back into society.
Ward Chapel celebration
The public is invited to attend a 2008 Appreciation Celebration for the Rev. Marvin E. Sullivan (pastor, Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church) and family this Saturday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
The theme is “May The Work That I’ve Done Speak For Me.”
Music will be performed by The Legend Singers Choral Ensemble, Dr. Doris Jones-Wilson, music director.
The Rev. Claudine E. Murphy, pastor of St. Luke AME Church is presiding and the Rev. Diana L. Durdin, pastor of Olive Chapel AME Church is guest soloist.
The celebration will be held at Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, 11410 Old Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. Reception will follow the worship service at Ann O. MacDonald Family Center.
For more information, call 314-867-8189 or 314-741-0112.