Dennis Bell, director of music for St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler, demonstrates handbells.

As the Christmas decorations go up and the weather turns colder, church choirs gear up for cantatas and other holiday performances.

At the Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township, the cantata “Let Us Adore Him” will be performed at 11 a.m. during the church's regular service Dec. 20.

Cindy Mikalauskas, choir director at the church, starts preparing for the cantata in July or August.

“I start looking at music,” Mikalauskas said.

In September, practice begins. The group gathers on Wednesday nights.

Mikalauskas said some of the music books for cantatas contain CDs that can be copied and distributed to choir members to help them prepare and practice.

“So they're constantly listening,” Mikalauskas said.

As the date edges closer to the performance, the choir also practices each Sunday after church.

During this time of the year, the choir practices both for the cantata and for regular Sunday services.

“It's added work,” Mikalauskas said.

Year-round, the choir normally has eight to 10 members. But during the cantata season, the number can rise to as many 16 or 17 members.

Mikalauskas said some people join just for the cantata, and she added that some college students who return home for winter break join while they are back.

For solo parts of the performance, she mainly picks people who volunteer to do them.

“I just try to pick someone who feels comfortable doing it,” Mikalauskas said. “I don't do auditions or anything like that. I just ask for volunteers.”

If no one volunteers or is comfortable, she modifies parts of the music that call for solos.In addition to directing and coordinating, she plays the cantata's instrumental portion on the piano during the performance.“That's a challenge to direct and play at the same time,” Mikalauskas said.As a Catholic church, St. Paul Parish in Butler does not do cantatas.“We're limited within the scope of the Mass,” said Dennis Bell, director of music at the church.However, the Christmas season still brings on added musical challenges.On Christmas Eve, the church has three services. At the 4 p.m. service, there are handbells and a cantor. At 6 p.m., a folk group does the music. The 10 p.m. Mass features the full choir, including 30 minutes of music before the service begins — which Bell equates to a mini concert.“There's a lot of extra planning for that,” Bell said.He too begins planning for this season in the summer. To choose music, he plays and tries out different pieces to figure out what he likes and what he wants to include in the performances.The 32-member choir practices every Thursday.Bell said there is additional music to plan out as well. Christmas Day features two services, and in the weeks following Christmas, the church also celebrates Epiphany, Mary Mother of God, New Year's and the Baptism of the Lord — all of which are considered a part of the Christmas season.During this time, Bell does not schedule practices.“You have to plan all of that in advance,” Bell said.The First Baptist Church in Butler is putting on a play this year rather than a cantata.

Todd Wentworth, music pastor at the church, said the church does plays some years and cantatas other years.“We go back and forth,” Wentworth said.The play, which will be performed at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 and at 6 p.m. Dec. 6, was written in-house and based on the Book of Ruth.Wentworth said there are about 30 people in the cast. Accounting for the crew, he said that about 100 people will be involved in the play.A church member began writing the play at the beginning of the summer. Wentworth began composing music for the play around the same time.Church members and people associated with the First Baptist Christian School built the sets.“We made everything,” Wentworth said.The church began casting at the beginning of the school year.Cast members have been practicing on Mondays and Thursdays. After Thanksgiving, Wentworth said the cast and crew work every day to get ready for the play.The church held a cantata last Christmas in conjunction with the First Baptist Church in Evans City and the First Baptist Church of Grove City. Wentworth said it took a lot of travel to coordinate that effort.He said that putting together the play takes a similar amount of work, but he said it is more creative work.“It's a steady work,” Wentworth said.

Todd Wentworth, music pastor of First Baptist Church in Butler, sits with his 5-year-old daughter, Emily, near handmade sets the congregation made for the church's Christmas play. The play was written in-house, with Wentworth composing the music, and Emily will have a small role as well.

Cindy Mikalauskas, choir director of Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township, checks out the music for the church's cantata - which will be presented Dec. 20.