Michael Dean

It isn't just children eagerly awaiting the arrival of Christmas. For the choir directors of Butler County churches, Christmas Eve is opening night: months of rehearsals ending in performances before a packed house.

“I think our nerves get a little more bouncy or we get more excited,” said Michael Dean, the choir director for 10 years at Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church, 727 Old Route 422.

“I don't think it's pressure. I think it adds to the celebratory nature of the service,” said Sandy Mailloux, choir director at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2217 Chicora Road, Chicora.

“I wouldn't say it is pressure. The choir is very conscientious. They enjoy doing it. The camaraderie in the choir is outstanding. It is a nice atmosphere,” Mailloux said.

“Christmas Eve always brings more people than usual,” said Amy Nichols, the choir director at the Presbyterian Church of Portersville, 1297 Perry Highway, Portersville.

A special night calls for special performances, said Dean.

“For Christmas Eve, we are actually doing something different this year,” Dean said. “The pastor (the Rev. Jeff Curtis) brought in various readings from the point of view of a character — an innkeeper, a shepherd — and there is a song that is interwoven throughout the service. There is one reading and the song will continue, the next character and more of the song.”

Nichols herself is getting into the act.

“The choir is doing contemporary chorale pieces. I am actually singing a solo in that one, so someone will be directing for me,” Nichols said.

“The praise band is doing three Christmas carols that the congregation sings along with. The instrumental ensemble will be accompanying the praise band,” she added.

Of course, that's not counting the other special performances of the season.

The Sunday before Christmas, for instance, the Portersville choir will be performing a cantata.The 25-minute Christmas cantata, “Sing the Glory,” was chosen by Nichols and organist Sandy Phillips.“It's something that was singable and manageable for our choir. Just music our church would enjoy listening to that was biblical,” Nichols said.Added performances also mean added practice for the choir members.“We practiced pretty much since October, once a week for two hours accompanied by piano and percussion,” Nichols said, work needed to prepare the 20-member choir for the cantata.Dean said, “I usually start rehearsing Christmas music the last week of September or the first week of October to be amply prepared. And to have time to switch something out if it isn't working.”“Normally, we practice about an hour and a half for a regular rehearsal,” said Dean of the choir's Thursday night sessions at the church. “It goes to two hours beginning the first or second week of October.”“I choose the lead choir music. Sometimes there are suggestions taken into account. The planning process begins over the summer months,” he said.Mailloux said, “Our practices are generally Sunday morning between services. That made it easier. We have an evening practice or two as it's needed.”“We have a piano accompanist that works with us. We are desperately looking for a new one. The one we have has been trying to retire for a couple of years,” she added.Also remaining the same are the traditional songs of the season sung on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Although, there has been waxing and waning in carols' popularity though the years.“I think there are a few carols that remain popular, 'Joy to the World' and 'Away in a Manager,' people seem to be very interested in those,” Dean said. “Others come in and out, 'First Noel,' 'Little Town of Bethlehem.' It seems to be hit or miss.”“Some years people would rather sing something else. You can tell the congregation's response by the way they sing them,” Dean said.Holy Trinity's Mailloux said, “I don't think any carols are out of season. We don't sing them enough. In the Lutheran Church, we don't start singing the carols early, not until Christmas Eve or the Sunday before Christmas.”But for Dean, who has a music degree from Westminster College in New Wilmington, it's not so much the songs, but the reason behind them.“It is important to me that they are worshipping God to their full extent. Then they can lead others in that direction as well and that's our true goal,” Dean said.“During the holiday season, that's what we try to do, draw people closer to Christ, and that's the reason for the music,” Dean said.Nichols was in agreement.“I think, especially at this time of year, you have to have a heart for the spirit of Christmas,” she said.“That makes it exciting and not just part of your duties, I guess,” Nichols said.Mailloux, who has been a choir director for 15 years, said, “I always keep in mind in a church choir we are using volunteers. With my group, I focus on the music and the message.”“Just as my job is made a lot easier by having people who are dedicated and who enjoy singing, I think the thing I've noticed is people who are involved in choir are involved in other aspects of the church,” she said.“Music has a way of feeding our souls. It's just a way of putting the message a little deeper. That's very central in my philosophy,” Mailloux said.