Christmas in The Caverns: Symphony & Sing Off Returns This December With New Youth Competition

Free underground holiday concert featuring the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra celebrates local talent, with a new competition for young singers ages 2–17

South Cumberland Region, Tennessee — The magic of the holidays comes alive underground at The Caverns as Christmas in The Caverns: Symphony & Sing Off brings orchestral music, local talent, and the sounds of the season together this December.

Presented in partnership by The Caverns, the University of the South, and the South Cumberland Community Fund (SCCF), the free community 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.

“We are thrilled to return to The Caverns for another wonderful celebration of music and the holiday season. There is something truly special about sharing our music in such an extraordinary space, surrounded by a community that brings so much joy and energy to the experience,” says Maestro Torres. “We look forward to continuing to strengthen these connections through music, and we are especially excited to hear the voices of our community come together once again for our holiday sing-off. It is these shared moments that make this concert so memorable.”

This year's event introduces an exciting new addition to the regional Sing Off vocal competition: a dedicated Youth Division for singers ages 2–17. The new category gives young performers an opportunity to showcase their talent, compete for prizes, and potentially perform alongside the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra in The Caverns' underground concert hall.

The Sing Off will feature both an adult competition and a youth competition, welcoming singers of all experience levels from across the South Cumberland region.

The concert will take place on Friday, December 4, 2026 and will be free to the public, with advance RSVP required due to limited seating. Free tickets will become available to local community members on November 18, 2026, through this webpage.

“We’re proud to bring Christmas in The Caverns back and give singers of all ages a chance to shine,” says Joe Lurgio, general manager of The Caverns. “The new youth division builds on what makes this event special: celebrating local talent and bringing our community together through music.”

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.

Finalists will be selected to perform live with the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra during the December concert. A panel of judges will select competition winners, and the audience will have an opportunity to select a crowd favorite.

Whether singing in the shower, performing in a school choir, or pursuing music professionally, the competition welcomes voices in the region of all backgrounds and experience levels.

SING OFF PRIZES

Adult Division – Age 18+

• 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: 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 audience-selected crowd favorite will receive a package of goods and services donated by local and regional businesses.

NEW! Youth Division — Ages 2–17

Young singers will have the opportunity to compete in a dedicated youth category, celebrating the next generation of musical talent in the South Cumberland region.

• First Place: $175 cash award, a professional video of their performance with the orchestra, and venue merchandise

• Second Place: $75 cash award, a professional video of their performance with the orchestra, and venue merchandise

• Third Place: A professional video of their performance with the orchestra, and venue merchandise

• Crowd Favorite: In addition to one of the prizes above, the audience-selected crowd favorite will receive a package of goods and services donated by local and regional businesses.

HOW TO AUDITION FOR THE SING OFF

• Submission deadline: November 11, 2026.

• Adult and youth categories are available, with the Youth Division open to singers ages 2–17.

• Submit at least two vocal performances via MP3, video links, or TikTok links.

• At least one submission must feature a song from the orchestra's approved competition song list below. Audio for each song is available at the audition form found at TheCaverns.com/SingOff.

• A judging panel will include representatives from Sewanee University, The Caverns, and SCCF.

• Finalists will be announced November 18, 2026.

• Finalists will have an opportunity / be required to rehearse with the orchestra before the December concert.

• Submit entries at TheCaverns.com/SingOff.

ORCHESTRA'S APPROVED COMPETITION SONG LIST

For Adult Sing-Off

• All I Want for Christmas - arr. Michael Brown

• The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - arr. Bob Lowden

• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - arr. John Whitney

For Kids Sing-Off

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - arr. Jack Bullock

• Song of Christmas ( "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Deck The Halls," and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas") arr. James Swearingen

HOW TO ATTEND THE EVENT

• Free tickets available by RSVP starting November 18, 2026, at TheCaverns.com
• Concert date: Friday, December 4, 2026.
• Doors open: 6p CT.
• Concert begins: 7p CT.
• Limited seating available; RSVP required.

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.