Saint Mary’s University to host auditions June 28 for Fox 25/48 ‘Idol’

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University and Fox 25/48 are looking for the next singing sensation. Auditions for “Fox Fest Idol” will be held Saturday, June 28, at SMU.

The open auditions will be held in the Performance Center. Participants may register online at www.fox25fox48.com or at the audition location. Online registration ends Thursday, June 26. Participants will be notified by mail of their acceptance.

Men and women must be between the ages of 16 and 28 and must provide proof of age and photo identification. Parents must accompany minors.

On June 28, registration will be taken from 11 and 12:30 p.m., during which participants will be assigned a number. The first round of auditions begins at noon. For the first round, participants must sing without music for more than 30 seconds; 15 participants will advance to the semi-finalist round at 3 p.m.

At 3 p.m., the 15 semi-finalists will be asked to sing for up to three minutes, karaoke style, to music of their choice in front of a live audience and judges. Participants must provide their own karaoke music CD.

At 4:30 p.m., five finalists will then be selected to advance to the FoxFest Idol finals on Sunday, Aug. 3, at Skipper Liner Marine in La Crosse, Wis. Finalists from the Saint Mary’s Competition — as well as competitions in Eau Claire, Wis., and La Crosse, Wis. — will perform at this regional finale.

The winner Aug. 3 will receive an “American Idol” audition at a city and date yet to be announced.

If you miss this round, SMU will host another “Idol” audition in August through the Rochester Fox 47 station.