R.I.P. Brian Clarke

Blue Lake Public Radio | By Foley Schuler

Published July 25, 2025 at 5:55 PM EDT

Brian Clarke (left) with Andre Previn (right)

The eminent violist and longtime Co-Principal Violist of the London Symphony Orchestra has died at the age of 92.

As the music world mourns the passing of violist Brian Clarke, we offer a look back over his remarkable life in music—from his poverty-stricken childhood as the son of a coal miner to world-class musician, serving as co-principal violist with the famed London Symphony for nearly 30 years, working with the world's greatest conductors and contributing to the soundtracks of such classic John Williams film scores as Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Superman and E.T. Click here to read his obituary from the London Symphony.

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