‘Tis the moment for the 80-voice strong Vashon Island Chorale to sing in the holiday season, with a concert dubbed “Celebration: Music for Chanukah and Christmas,” set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Bethel Church.

What makes this year’s concert especially notable is that it will include not only favorite carols but also the world premiere of a new work, “Eight Days of Chanukah,” by Northwest composer Abraham Kaplan.

Kaplan was one of the last half-century’s most notable choral conductors, having worked closely with Leonard Bernstein, Igor Stravinsky and many other major musical personalities. Vashon Opera’s Andy Krikawa will bring his rich baritone to a solo in one of the movements of Kaplan’s work.

For traditionalists, the concert will also include beloved pieces from the holiday canon, including Zoltan Kodály’s chant-inspired arrangement of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” popular versions of “Still, Still, Still,” “Carol of the Bells” and John Rutter’s raucous take on “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Violinists Karin Choo and Gaye Detzer will accompany the Chorale in Edward Elgar’s “The Snow.”

Maestro Gary Cannon will direct the proceedings with his usual aplomb.

Tickets, $15 and $10, will be sold at the Blue Heron, the Vashon Bookshop and www.brownpapertickets.com.