The idea for Jeanie Auditions was originated in December 1951 by Mrs. Leon Whitehurst of Brooksville, Florida when a memorial to the American composer Stephen Foster was built in White Springs, Florida on land donated by FFMC. The auditions were created to provide promising young female vocalists in Florida with awards to aid them in their music studies.

Since 2006, male vocalists were invited to compete in the in the men’s division. Qualified judges select the finalists. In 2022, the event was updated with a few modern day changes including an expanded repertoire of American composers 1850-1950 and selections from American Musical Theatre 1939-1959. The Jeanie dresses with hoop skirts and men’s cut-a-way tuxedos  were set aside to make way for modern performing attire.