Atlanta gospel choir in competition

Arts and Culture

Atlanta gospel choir in competition

Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir participates in the national finals of the How Sweet the Sound choir competition at Philips Arena in Atlanta.

Members of the Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir pray hours before they perform in a national choir competition Saturday night at Philips Arena.

Choir members in prayer.

Sharing prayer before the performance.

Choir members are moved by the spirit.

More practice before performing.

The choir won the crowd favorite award and $5,000.

Mayor Shirley Franklin greets the crowd.

Judges Marvin Sapp (from left), Gabrielle Union and Hezekiah Walker watch performances at the national finals of the How Sweet the Sound choir competition.

More than 78 groups entered the national competition.

'I could feel the presence of the Lord when we were singing, and I was just reacting to that,' said choir director Brandon Frazier. 'It felt like church to me.'

Choir director Brandon Frazier.

The church choir from Lithia Springs brought the crowd to its feet with its rendition of'We Lift Our Hands in Sanctuary.'

The Church at Bethel's Family choir, from Texas, performs at the national finals of the How Sweet the Sound choir competition at Philips Arena.

Frazier said Atlanta West hopes to use its prize money to record a CD.

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Members of the Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir pray hours before they perform in a national choir competition Saturday night at Philips Arena.

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