Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare!

Blue Lake Public Radio | By Foley Schuler

Published April 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM EDT

Please join Foley Schuler for his annual musical celebration The Bard's birthday Wednesday afternoon.

Though the exact date of Shakespeare's birth is not recorded, he is thought to have been born on—or around—April 23 (in 1564), and the date celebrated around the world as The Bard's birthday. The writings of Shakespeare have inspired more works of classical musical than those of any other writer, and on Wednesday, Foley Schuler will share an afternoon's worth of his personal favorites.

You can hear Foley Schuler's classical music selections—and the stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon from 1-5 on Blue Lake Public Radio.

Foley Schuler

Encouraged by creative parents, Foley began his music career at age 7, studying violin with Jean Manning at North Muskegon Public Schools. As a Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp camper, he became Blue Lake Public Radio’s first high school intern. Foley earned an English Literature degree from Hope College, and Masters in Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson College. He has performed with the West Michigan (formerly West Shore) Symphony; served on the English Department faculty at Muskegon Community College, and been the Music, Art & Theatre reviewer for the Muskegon Chronicle. He follows his love of the arts around the globe, but says, “There is no place like the Blue Lake setting, sharing extraordinary music with our listeners.” Foley hosts Blue Lake Public Radio’s weekday classical music from 1 to 5 p.m. and “Sunday on Blue Lake”.

See stories by Foley Schuler