Do you dream of becoming a pop music superstar who has it all? A platinum album, fame and fortune, fabulous parties, expensive cars, a private chef…

Okay, hold on. Before you start envisioning your star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, why don’t you show your hometown what you’ve got at the Columbus Symphony’s first-ever Great Columbus Sing-Off! If you think you have what it takes to be the next American Idol, then this is the competition for you.

The Columbus Symphony invites all amateur singers to audition on Friday, Oct. 5, from 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with hopes of finding the best undiscovered popular singer in Central Ohio. Auditions will take place in the rehearsal rooms on the Lower Level of the Ohio Theatre at 39 E. State Street. Contestants can sing anything they please in a five-minute audition — pop, rock, country, jazz, blues — you name it. The competition is free, so all you’ll need to bring is yourself and your unique vocal talent.

“This is a great opportunity for aspiring singers,” says Brooke Preston, of the Columbus Symphony. The nine semifinalists announced Tuesday, Oct. 9, will perform for an audience of about 1,000 people at a Huntington Columbus Symphony Pops performance at the Ohio Theatre. Three finalists will then perform for a live Ohio Theatre audience and a panel of judges, including famed American composer Marvin Hamlisch. The lucky winner will perform live with the Columbus Symphony at next summer’s Picnic with the Pops, an event that attracts an audience of 6,000 to 8,000.

Rather than suffer through Simon Cowell’s extremely harsh criticism (“You sing like Mickey Mouse on helium”), contestants will be carefully judged by Columbus Symphony staff and members of the local media. According to Preston, feedback will be “positive and constructive,” unlike many comments on American Idol. Preston says, “We’re just looking for the best singer; you don’t have to classically trained, but it helps to show your personality and let your unique identity translate through the music.”

The Great Columbus Sing-Off is one of the Columbus Symphony’s innovative initiatives for attracting a new, younger generation of patrons. “We’d love to see the competition take off and become a huge Columbus event,” says Preston. The Columbus Symphony is looking forward to discovering all the talent in the Columbus area.

Contestants must be 18 years old by Oct. 5, audition individually (no groups) and bring their own accompanist if they choose not to sing a capella. A piano will be provided. Contestants need only attend one of the two audition sessions. No professionally contracted singers.

For more information, contact the Columbus Symphony Customer Service Center at 614-228-8600.