Gospel groups from Southland get some glory

For months, church gospel choirs around the U.S. have been preoccupied with the first national "How Sweet the Sound" competition, sponsored by Verizon Wireless to select the "best gospel choir in America." In mid-September, the first of 11 regional semifinals was held in St. Louis. It was followed by events in Atlanta, Newark, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Memphis, Houston and, as the Times reported, Oakland. 

Well, now the semifinals have ended. The Los Angeles contest took place last night at the L.A. Memorial Sports Arena, where the Christian's Community Center choir from Carson won in the small category and took home $10,000 and the choir from Mt. Rubidoux Seventh Day Adventist Church in Riverside, the overall regional winner, received $10,000 as the victor in the large category and $5,000 as the recipient of the V CAST People's Choice Award.

Next up for the 11 overall regional winners: the finals in Atlanta on Nov. 8. The champs there will receive a grand prize of $25,000. Amen.

-- Craig Fisher

Photo: Sharon Onadele, right, gets help with her tie as she and other members of the Antioch Church Family choir get ready for the "How Sweet the Sound" semifinals in Oakland on Oct. 10.

Photo: Dave Getzschman / For The Times

Comments

[The Youngblood's]

Praise God that he provided the opportunity for The Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church Choir to share with the world what we joyfully experience every Sabbath. We wish many blessing to The Mt. Rubidoux Choir on their next step in the competition.

[Arlene Rogers-Wilhite]

I had the pleasure of being there and singing and it was an awesome experience to be amongst so many grooups of people just there to basically and spiritually praise the Lord!!! Never have I felt so much of GOD's presence before in my life!!!Lena

[Thom]

Thank you so much for sharing this story! I am the Director of the Christian's Community Center Cathedral Choir (winner of the Small Choir Category) and our church is located in Los Angeles, not Carson. We really want to thank Verizon for sharing in our community and helping us spread the gospel in song! We are bringing back our Savior's True name, which is Yeshua! Congratulations to Mt. Rubidoux and we will be praying for them as they travel to Atlanta for the Finale!