Descend 16 stories underground inside California’s largest cavern and experience a marriage of light in voice and depth in darkness. A chorale group composed of distinguished singers who have performed in many of the world’s most recognized concert halls, will present transcendent 17th & 18th century choral masterworks curated for the cavern’s natural acoustic resonance.
Holding degrees from USC (BM, Vocal Arts) and Yale University (MM and DMA, Choral Conducting), Nate Widelitz has sung under the batons of Zubin Mehta, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Gustavo Dudamel and collaborated with the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras and the Cleveland Orchestra. A Fulbright Scholar to Bulgaria, he has earned credits on PBS, Deutsche Grammophon, and numerous films. After concluding successful tenures as a tenor with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Assistant Conductor of Pacific Chorale and his DMA coursework, Nate was appointed Associate Director of Choral Activities at Millikin University between 2022 and 2025. In 2023, Nate founded the Five Cities Baroque Festival and relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2025 upon his appointment as Artistic Director of both the California Bach Society and Stockton Chorale.
DISCLAIMER: If you have any medical conditions, mobility limitations, or other circumstances that could make the associated physical movement difficult based on the required activities to attend the concert, please carefully consider your ability to participate. The cave access includes stairs, narrow passages, and elevation changes that may be physically demanding or not recommended for some individuals.
The descent from the cave entrance to the bottom of the cavern and performance stage takes approximately 15 - 20 minutes to do, and covers 180 vertical feet. The descent begins with a stairway through the caves crevace, leading onto a small plateau and the entrance into the enclosed spiral staircase that exits at the bottom of the cavern and performance floor.
For those who experience Claustrophobia please consider that the Crevice Staircase section is narrow. Whereas the descent has narrow sections, the cavern/performance area itself is very spacious. For those who experience a fear of heights be aware that the Spiral Staircase is enclosed but overlooks 80 feet of vertical open space. Please refer to our attached Descent Map for reference.
Attire: Please wear shoes that have good traction (sneakers or hiking boots), as well as a light jacket.
Cave Climate: The cave maintains a temperature of 61 degrees.
Seating: Seating is provided.
Rock formations: Please refrain from touching any rock formations inside the cave to help protect their natural beauty.
Personal Items: Purses, bags, food, and beverages are not allowed inside the cave. If you require water, please notify a staff member, and we will be happy to assist you.
Medical Needs: If you have medication or medical items that you need to keep on you during your visit, please inform a staff member so we can accommodate your needs.
Child Carriers: Baby backpack carriers are permitted; however, they must be front carriers for safety reasons.
Photography: You are welcome to take photos and videos; however, please refrain from using flash.
