A unique holiday event is coming this December as Christmas in The Caverns: Symphony & Sing Off brings orchestral music and local voices together in a one-night-only celebration underground.

Presented in partnership by The Caverns, the University of the South, and the South Cumberland Community Fund (SCCF), the event will feature a live performance of Christmas and holiday music by the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sewanee Assistant Professor of Music Mario Alejandro Torres.

“Through music, we come together to celebrate the bonds of community, the traditions we cherish, and the joy of the season,” says Maestro Torres. “To perform in this remarkable space, joined by the voices that echo the heart of our region, is to feel music come alive in its truest form.”

The evening also includes a regional Sing Off, a vocal competition inviting local talent of all ages from across the South Cumberland region. The concert will take place on 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, inside The Caverns’ underground concert hall and is free to the public with advance RSVP required for limited seating for residents of Tennessee’s South Cumberland region. Doors open at 6 p.m. Free tickets will be available to community members to reserve starting Oct. 15 at <TheCaverns.com>.

“This is the kind of event that uplifts our communities by showcasing local talent, investing in young artists, and providing access to cultural experiences,” says Tom Sanders, executive director of the South Cumberland Community Fund. “It’s a joyful way to celebrate the season and the people who make this region special.”

The Sing Off is open to residents and community members of the South Cumberland region, which consists of Altamont, Beersheba Springs, Coalmont, Gruetli-Laager, Monteagle, Palmer, Pelham, Sewanee, and Tracy City or those with strong ties to the area. Three finalists will be selected to perform live with the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra during the Dec. 5 event at The Caverns. A panel of judges will select the winner, and the audience will select a crowd favorite.

This competition is open to all: from those who sing in the shower and have never performed in public to those professionally trained—and from young to old.

Prizes include: First place: $1,000 cash award, a performance with the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra, two tickets to an upcoming show at The Caverns with overnight yurt accommodations, venue merchandise, and a professional video of their performance with the orchestra. Second place: $500 cash award, a performance with the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra, two tickets to an upcoming show at The Caverns, venue merchandise, and a professional video of their performance with the orchestra. Third place: $250 cash award, a performance with the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra, two tickets to an upcoming show at The Caverns, venue merchandise, and a professional video of their performance with the orchestra.

Crowd favorite: In addition to one of the prizes above, the crowd favorite will win a package consisting of goods and services donated by local and regional businesses.

To audition for the Sing Off, submission window through Sept. 15, 2025. Submit at least two vocal performances via MP3, video links, or TikTok links. Submit entries at: <TheCaverns.com/SingOff>.

At least one submission must feature one of the required songs that the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra will be performing during the concert: “Santa Baby,” “Santa Dear,” or “It Wouldn’t Be Christmas Without You.”

Judging panel includes representatives from Sewanee, The Caverns, and SCCF.

Finalists will be announced in October, and will have an opportunity to rehearse with the orchestra before the Dec. 5 event.

This special evening offers a rare opportunity to experience the magic of live orchestral holiday music deep underground while supporting and celebrating local singers from across the South Cumberland region. Community members are encouraged to audition for the Sing Off or reserve seats early for this unforgettable seasonal event.