Saratoga Orchestra: A Very Merry Whidbey Christmas

• Tekla Cunningham, baroque violin
• Deirdre Fairfax, voice
• Kevin Johnson, guitar

Celebrate the season with the professional musicians of Whidbey’s Saratoga Orchestra and music director, Anna Edwards, at the annual "A Very Merry Whidbey Christmas." This treasured holiday tradition, held on Saturday, December 7 at 2pm in the Coupeville High School Commons, will feature a program of traditional carols, timeless holiday classics and many, many surprises.

Featuring an eclectic mix, everything from Vivaldi to Disney with lots of audience participation, the works on the program include Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's "Christmas Overture," music from Disney's Frozen, A Charlie Brown Christmas, plus sing-along opportunities from Handel's Messiah, including the "Hallelujah" Chorus.

Joining the orchestra will be special guest Tekla Cunningham, baroque violinist and founder of the popular Whidbey Island Music Festival, performing the "Winter" sections from Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Also performing is vocalist Deirdre Fairfax with longtime music collaborator Kevin Johnson, adding a contemporary take on beloved Christmas tunes. Students from local school instrumental programs will also be joining the orchestra as part of Saratoga Orchestra's Talent Development Program.

In the spirit of giving, A Toys for Tots donation box will be on site during the concert for attendees to bring a new and unwrapped toy. Toys for Tots, a 76-year national charitable Program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to children in need during each Christmas holiday season and beyond.

Local ticket outlets include Bayleaf (Coupeville), Click Music (Oak Harbor), Moonraker Books (Langley), and Biercuterie (Freeland).

About Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island

Whidbey's Saratoga Orchestra formed as an expansion of the Saratoga Chamber Players founded by Whidbey Island's legendary violinist and arts supporter, Michael Nutt. Previously known as Saratoga Chamber Orchestra, the name is derived from the beautiful Saratoga Passage that flanks the east side of Whidbey Island and the stand of trees known as the Saratoga Woods. In 2007, Legh W. Burns, Music Director Emeritus, began a regular concert series performing throughout the island for Whidbey audiences. Dr. Anna Edwards has led the orchestra as Music Director since 2015, and has brought national attention to the ensemble for its innovative programming championing women, BIPOC and underrepresented composers and hosting the highly esteemed Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute held each summer.

TEL: (360) 929-3045

About Tekla Cunningham, baroque violin

Baroque violinist Tekla Cunningham delights in bringing the music of the baroque, classical and romantic eras to life with vivid and expressive historically informed performances.

Praised as "a consummate musician whose flowing solos and musical gestures are a joy to watch", her performances have been described as "ravishingly beautiful" and "stellar". Her greatest musical love is music of the baroque and chamber music of all stripes, though she can’t seem to quit Johannes Brahms. She is co-artistic director of Pacific MusicWorks in Seattle, artist-in-residence at the University of Washington and founder and director of the Whidbey Island Music Festival.

Tekla plays regularly as concertmaster and principal player with the American Bach Soloists. Her new release 'Stylus Phantasticus' with Pacific MusicWorks is delighting critics. "Tekla is a marvel…an endlessly songful bird". Early Music America describes the recording as "played with verve, the music presented here reaffirms the old notion that instrumental music can have the flair of any theatrical spectacle. … a stellar vessel for the boldest showmanship".

Tekla plays on a violin made by Sanctus Seraphin in Venice in 1746.