Caverns provide unique Christmas-music experience

Members of the Christmas Caroling Troupe pose for a group photo. From left are Robert Gillahan and his wife, Mary, of Mountain View; Marion Spear of Fox; Pam Setser of Mountain View; Patti Long of Mountain View; Abby Spinks of Pleasant Grove; Bryan McClung of Mountain View; and Ron Haynes of Shirley.
Members of the Christmas Caroling Troupe pose for a group photo. From left are Robert Gillahan and his wife, Mary, of Mountain View; Marion Spear of Fox; Pam Setser of Mountain View; Patti Long of Mountain View; Abby Spinks of Pleasant Grove; Bryan McClung of Mountain View; and Ron Haynes of Shirley.

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Music is an important part of the holiday season. In November, some toe the line regarding when is acceptable to break out the Christmas tunes.

Is it OK to start playing “Carol of the Bells” before the Thanksgiving feast, or should we as a society agree to keep “Silver Bells” silent until the turkey leftovers are put away? These debates spring up between friends and families every year, and if nothing else, the discussions emphasize the impact of the music that accompanies this season.

When the Christmas music is finally turned on — whether before or after Thanksgiving — it can enhance the joyful atmosphere many experience this time of year. Sometimes it is blasted in the car on the way to the store to purchase presents for loved ones. Sometimes it is sung in church programs, led by children dressed in angel costumes. Sometimes it plays in the background while families gather around to decorate the Christmas tree.

In Mountain View, some people believe the best way to experience Christmas music is to go underground. Caroling in the Caverns at Blanchard Springs Caverns is in its 12th year, and Pam Setser, who helps coordinate the musicians for the show, said it is an incredible experience to sing in the Cathedral Room in the caverns.

“I think your first time, it’s just breathtaking how it sounds in there,” she said. “I’ve been a part of it every year, and every year when I go back in there and we do that first show, it’s still amazing.”

Setser said that a few years before the tradition of performing in the caverns started, she had heard several people remark that it would be neat to sing down in the Cathedral Room. The natural amplification and acoustics lend themselves to live shows, and it is a unique experience to make music in a natural setting like that.

“It sounded really great,” she said of trying the caverns out. “Lenora Shoults and Peggy Tupper, who was the chamber manager at the time, decided we would try one year, just one show, and see how it went. We had a full house, and it went great.”

The first year the performers were Setser; her mother, Jean Jennings; and Judy Klinkhammer. They performed for an hour, and Setser said people loved it.

“The chamber decided to make it an event,” Setser said. “It is sponsored by the chamber of commerce, and of course, the U.S. Forest Service provides a beautiful space.”

The next year, Setser, Jennings and Ron Haynes performed in the space, and the program continued to grow. Throughout the years, Setser said, they have added more musicians and changed the program.

“We do a variety of music,” she said. “We do some traditional carols, and we do some fun songs. We like to mix it up.”

Part of the “wow” factor, Setser said, is how the caverns carry the music. The singers do not have to wear microphones, and their voices are magnified to sound like there are many more people participating.

“The majority of the time, when we’re all together, there are six of us,” she said. “People think there’s a huge choir. It sounds so incredible.”

Caroling in the Caverns has become a tradition for many families, and tickets tend to sell quickly. Setser said there may still be tickets available for the last show.

“It brings the music to a different level,” she said. “Some folks have said it’s a spiritual experience and emotional experience. Christmastime is a special, emotional time anyway. It is a unique experience.”

Setser said she and the other musicians enjoy watching people come into the caverns because they can often pick out people who have never been there before. There is a breathtaking moment when the audience enters, she said, and it is always a joy to know that they have been impacted even before the show starts.

“We have seen more first- timers this year,” she said.

The final performances of Caroling in the Caverns will be at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $20 per person. Advance tickets are required and can be purchased through the Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce by calling (888) 679-2859.

Staff writer Angela Spencer can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or aspencer@arkansasonline.com.

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