How Sweet the Sound 2025: A Night of Inspiration, Celebration & Artistry for the Community

This spring, the nation’s #1 gospel music competition How Sweet the Sound comes to the nation’s capital for a celebration of the arts with an evening of song, dance, and spoken word. Contestants from across the country will compete for cash prizes at Washington, D.C.'s DAR Constitution Hall on May 24, 2025, at 6 PM ET and the event will be taped for broadcast on FOX Soul.

“How Sweet the Sound has been committed to providing platforms for gospel artists and emerging artists because of our commitment to the arts and supporting the community,” said Nathanael Brown, CEO of Gentle Giant Music, which owns the How Sweet the Sound brand. “I truly believe this is the strongest group of talent we’ve had in the last several years and their performances will provide encouragement and inspiration for our nation.”

The show is packed with award-winning gospel artists who will serve as host, judges, and performers in the show. Donald Lawrence, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and record producer, will serve as the competition’s host. Judges include Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Grammy, Billboard Music, Stellar, and Dove awards winner; Ricky Dillard, renowned gospel choir director and Stellar Award winner; Jekalyn Carr, Dove Award winner, Grammy Award nominee, actress, and author; J.J. Hairston, national Billboard chart-topping choir director, syndicated radio host, and pastor; and Jonathan McReynolds, Grammy Award winner, actor, professor, and philanthropist.

The competition includes 5 categories this year: Best Choir, Best Soloist, Best Spoken Word Artist, Best Dance, and the newest category is HBCU (Historically Black College and University) given the importance of putting a spotlight on the wonderful talent that HBCUs offer in this country. All winners will receive cash prizes and there is also The People’s Choice Award, which offers an opportunity for the audience to vote for their favorite performance.

How Sweet the Sound’s presenting sponsor for 2025 is Procter & Gamble, with their participating brands Mielle, Swiffer, Downy Unstopables, and Metamucil. This is the second year Procter & Gamble (P&G) is sponsoring How Sweet the Sound given their commitment to showcasing and uplifting emerging talent and celebrating what moves us – our community, our beauty, and our joy.

“P&G and our participating brands are proud to return as sponsors of How Sweet the Sound 2025,” said Charlotte LaNiear, Senior Director, N.A. Multicultural Media, P&G. “As a company committed to serving all consumers every day, everywhere they are, we strive to make a difference through providing superior products in their homes, impactful partnerships with cultural institutions, and collaborations like How Sweet the Sound that amplify the voices of talented artists who inspire and move us with their creativity, bringing joy and celebration to communities."

Glory Foods is also one of the sponsors this year as a part of their national campaign “What Feeds Your Soul,” where they are sponsoring the spoken word competition and inspiring contestants to share what feeds their soul.

“Glory Foods loves that our fully seasoned, Southern-style vegetables are part of your celebrations and family dinners. We’ve partnered with How Sweet the Sound again to celebrate the glory of gospel music and to introduce our Reduced Sodium line,” said Brian Hodges, Glory Foods’ Brand Manager. “They’re the same vegetables you enjoy, but with less sodium – because nourishing your body and Feeding Your Soul are what we do best.”

Museum of the Bible rounds out the lineup of sponsors this year. Museum of the Bible's Chief Marketing Officer, Matthias Walther, shared, “Gospel music is so culturally rich and expressive. Over generations it's been deeply intertwined with the history, narrative, and impact of the Bible. We are therefore excited to start this wonderfully organic partnership with How Sweet the Sound and be part of the community of worship.”

Tickets for How Sweet The Sound are available at Ticketmaster.

ABOUT HOW SWEET THE SOUND

How Sweet The Sound is a national gospel music competition tour celebrating the history and sound of gospel music, dance, and spoken word throughout the nation and internationally, with the expansion into the U.K. market in 2024. They are committed to providing platforms for professional and emerging artists while offering hope and inspiration for the community. Follow How Sweet The Sound communities on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

ABOUT PROCTER & GAMBLE

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.pg.com/ for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.

ABOUT GLORY FOODS

Founded in 1989, Glory Foods is the leading ready-to-eat food brand specializing in pre-seasoned Southern-style vegetables. Available in major grocery stores nationwide, the Glory Foods product offering includes canned, fresh, and frozen fruits and vegetables, as well as other Southern staples. Glory Foods is owned and operated by McCall Farms, a family-owned manufacturing and distribution company based in Effingham, South Carolina.

ABOUT MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE

Museum of the Bible is an apolitical, non-sectarian organization that invites all people to engage with the transformative power of the Bible. Located just three blocks from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the stunning 430,000-square-foot museum showcases rare and fascinating artifacts spanning 4,000 years of history and immersive experiences exploring the Bible. In addition to its educational programs, exhibits, and experiences, Museum of the Bible hosts the beautiful 480-seat World Stage Theater. To learn more, visit museumoftheBible.org.

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