The Search for America's Best Church Choir Has Begun

BASKING RIDGE, NJ--(Marketwire - April 1, 2009) - Now in its second full year, Verizon Wireless' How Sweet the Sound is back to give church choirs in 11 cities a chance to win the title of "The Best Church Choir in America." How Sweet the Sound invites church choirs to enter the competition and win a chance to perform in a live concert, compete for up to $50,000 in cash and prizes and earn the title of "The Best Church Choir in America."

GRAMMY® Award-winning, singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and music director Donald Lawrence is returning as tour emcee for the second year and is joined by Marvin Sapp, award-winning gospel artist, who will once again serve as tour judge. Verizon Wireless will also be selecting a local artist in each city to create a fine art piece to embody Gospel music in their home city.

Verizon Wireless is proud to create How Sweet the Sound, as a distinctive way to provide customers with the best in music. 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 communities.

The 2009 How Sweet the Sound tour will take place in the following cities before culminating in a grand finale celebration:

--  Atlanta
--  Chicago
--  Detroit
--  Houston
--  Los Angeles
--  Memphis
--  Newark
--  Oakland
--  Philadelphia
--  St. Louis
--  Washington, D.C.
    

Church choirs interested in participating can visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com to register, submit an audition video, and learn more about the competition. Details about the entry and selection process and official rules can be found by visiting the How Sweet the Sound website or by calling 800-230-0053.

For more information: http://www.firstlinemedia.com/epk/howsweet

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) (LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

http://www.firstlinemedia.com/epk/howsweet