Seven area choirs are competing this year in the How Sweet the Sound gospel music competition, taking place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Scottrade Center.

Choirs are competing for the title of Best Church Choir. They're competing locally for $16,000, prizes, and participation in the national contest in Washington, D.C., with a grand prize of $50,000 and more.

Competing in the Few Voices Category are:

-- Rezonate Choir, Leawood, KS

-- Tabernacle of Praise Seventh-Day Adventist Church Choir, St. Louis

-- Voices of Life, St. Louis

-- Voices of St. Alphonsus, St. Louis

Competing in the Many Voices category are:

-- Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis

-- New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church Chancel Choir, St. Louis

-- Voices of Praise, Evansville, IN

Gospel legends CeCe Winans and Donald Lawrence are hosting.

Judging are Marvin Sapp, Hezekiah Walker, and St. Louis gospel/hip-hop personality Dwight Stone.

Get more information at www.howsweetthesound.com.