Saint Mary’s University to host auditions Aug. 9 for Fox 47 ‘Idol’

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University and Fox 47 KXLT-TV are looking for the next singing sensation. Auditions for Fox 47’s “Idol” will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at SMU.

The Aug. 9 open auditions will be held in the SMU Performance Center. Singers will perform in front of a panel of area judges and spectators.

Walk-up registration will begin at 3 p.m., and contestants will receive an audition number upon arrival. They should be prepared to sing a song of their choice for 30 seconds a cappella (without accompaniment). Men and women must be between the ages of 16 and 28 on July 28, 2007, and must provide proof of age and photo identification. Parents must accompany minors.

Finalists from this competition — as well as competitions in Mason City, Iowa; and Rochester, Minn. — will perform at the regional finale Thursday, Aug. 16, at Rochester Community Technical College’s Hill Theatre. The public is invited; doors open at 6 p.m., and the finalists perform at 7:30 p.m.

The winner on Aug. 16 will receive a trip to Philadelphia for a guaranteed “American Idol” audition at the Wachovia Center on Aug. 27. Hotel accommodations are provided by Holiday Inn South, Rochester; airfare is pending.

For more information on “American Idol” auditions, go to Americanidol.com; for more information on local auditions, go to www.myfox47.com.