An accomplished Seattle musician who has always appreciated Whidbey Island’s beauty is bringing a gift to the community.

Tekla Cunningham, violinist and violist, is founding the Whidbey Island Music Festival. It will be held two weekends in August in Langley and Freeland.

Cunningham’s music festival stems from fond memories she has from growing up.

“It was sort of a routine going to music festivals in the summer, and it was a lot of fun,” she said.

Cunningham also has affectionate recollections of visiting Whidbey with her family.

The idea for the music festival popped into Cunningham’s head during her last trip to the island.

“I noticed there wasn’t a music festival on Whidbey, and I thought it would be a beautiful community for it,” Cunningham said.

The new music festival will celebrate music of the baroque and classical eras, and will be performed with period instruments.

The festival coincides with the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birthday.

“All over the world there are Mozart concerts celebrating the occasion,” Cunningham said.

She and her group of talented friends will perform Mozart compositions, sonatas by Handel, as well as renditions of the work of Bach.

The violinist said the festival will feature music both familiar and foreign.

The Mozart pieces are more lyrical, kind of like a mini-opera, Cunningham said, and the Bach variations are the same tune with different embellishments.

“There will be lively tempos and slow tempos,” Cunningham said. “There is a good mixture of character and quality.”

Cunningham performs across the United States and in Europe with renowned early music groups, concentrating on music of the 1700s. She will bring talented musicians along with her for the festival.

Cynthia Miller Freivogel plays violin with Cunningham in a Seattle chamber orchestra. Freivogel is a soloist and concertmaster, as well as a chamber and orchestral musician.

William Skeen plays the violoncello and viola da gamba. He currently serves as principal ‘cellist of Musica Angelica, the Los Angeles Bach Society and the Seattle and Los Angeles Baroque Orchestras.

Also joining the group will be Corey Jamason. He is a harpsichord player who is an active soloist and chamber music collaborator throughout the United States and Europe.

Cunningham said the music festival is great chance for her to perform one of her favorite kinds of music.

“I love playing chamber music because it is a way to play with people I really enjoy working with,” Cunningham said.

The violinist enjoys having more control over the music-making process, as opposed to playing with an orchestra. She also likes exploring the music and rehearsal time.

“It’s a very rewarding experience,” Cunningham said.

Perhaps the most gratifying is the moment the performers’ music hits the ears of the audience.

“I love bringing this kind of music to people who might not have heard it before,” Cunningham said. “It’s a very intimate form of music, and it’s conversational — you toss musical variations back and forth.”

The Whidbey Island Music Festival founder would like to expand the festival in the future.

“It would be great to add some more people,” Cunningham said.

In addition to performing chamber music, Cunningham would like to recruit an opera company from Seattle.

But right now, she said, she is waiting to see how the festival is received by the South Whidbey community.

“I want them to experience the joy of this kind of music making,” Cunningham said. “I hope people come out and get excited about having this on the island.”

Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 221-5300 or blaughlin@southwhidbeyrecord.com