Photo by Clay Schuldt A banner outside the State Street Theater proclaims the theater as the site of the New Ulm Sings regional competition to be held Friday. The theater is also the host site of the Minnesota Sings finals competition Oct. 1-2.

NEW ULM — The Minnesota Sings competition will be held at State Street Theater this year.

The annual statewide singing contest seeks to find the best singer in Minnesota through a series of regional competition. Each region selects four singers to move on to the finals and this year the finals will take place Oct. 1 and Oct 2 and the State Street Theater in New Ulm.

However, before the final competition New Ulm will host its regional competition–New Ulm Sing–that is held 7 p.m. Friday, Sept 9 at State Street Theater.

Jeff Wiechman, member of New Ulm Rotary and NU Sing Planning Committee said locally, between 10 and 12 individuals have registered for NU Sings. Vocalists are registered in two age classes; 13-20 years and 21 and older.

Wiechman said most of those who registered were int the 13-20 class, but a few signed up for the older division as well.

“It is going to be a neat event for everyone,” Wiechman said.

Currently the Planning Commission is working to make sure each vocalist for NU Sings has a backing track for their performance. Wiechman gave a preview of some of the local songs that will be performed Friday. Audience can expect to hear songs from musicals, movies and a few classic pop songs.

Four of the vocalists singing Friday will be selected to move on to the Minnesota Sings contest, which will also be held at State Street Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. The Minnesota Sings competition will feature singers from 28 regions around Minnesota, including Bemidji, Eden Prairie, Hastings, Hutchinson, La Crescent, Roseville, St. Cloud, St. Paul, Waseca and other places. More than 100 singers compete in the finale.

Weichman said the Minnesota Sings finale is held in a different city each year. New Ulm was selected to host the finale this year in part for the unique theater space, but also because to the community’s rich musical history. The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame is located a block from State Street.

This singing starts 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at State Street Theater. Attendance to the regional contest is free to the public.