CANTON — Cherokee Chorale will present two performances of its 24th annual Christmas concert this weekend at Canton First United Methodist Church.

The shows will be at 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, and will feature “Ceremony of Carols,” by Benjamin Britten, accompanied by several traditional carols and other favorite holiday songs.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, and will be available at the door before the concert or may be purchased in advance at Cherokee Arts Center, Chamberhouse in Canton, Three Sisters Gifts in Hickory Flat, Jasper Drug in Jasper, and FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock.

Conducted by Jenny Rawson, a mezzo-soprano who has conducted the Georgia Regional Girls’ Choir since 1998, Cherokee Chorale is an auditioned choral group of about 80 voices that encompasses a variety of ages and professions.

Cherokee Chorale was founded in 1988 and its Christmas performance is considered a local favorite.

“The chorale has been getting better and better every year and has been trying more difficult songs and arrangements,” said Bea Flint, publicity director for the Cherokee Chorale.

“Ceremony of Carols,” the concert’s feature piece, was written in 1942, while Britten was returning to his native country of England, after spending three years in America. The piece is based on a series of poems from the book “The English Galaxy of Shorter Poems.”

Flint noted that the juxtaposition of new and old made the music very entertaining.

“The music and timing is modern, but the words are all Middle English,” she said.

Also, the concert will include more traditional carols, including “Joy to the World,” “Wexford Carol,” “Adeste Fidelis,” “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol” and “Carol of the Birds,” as well as a few contemporary works, such as “Sleigh Ride” and “Carol of the Bells.”

Flint said that the concert is a great family event.

“That’s what we aim for — to invite everyone to celebrate the Christmas season,” she said.

For information, call Bea Flint at (678) 439-8625 or visit www.cherokeechorale.org.