Happy 100th Birthday, Mikis Theodorakis!

Blue Lake Public Radio | By Foley Schuler

Published July 29, 2025 at 5:12 AM EDT

Tune in Tuesday afternoon as Foley celebrates the centennial of one of the great composers of Greece.

Up until his death just a few years ago at 96, Mikis Theodorakis was widely viewed as Greece's best-known living composer. Highly prolific, as a composer and lyricist, he wrote over 1000 songs, as well as numerous film scores, including such iconic works of cinema as Zorba the Greek, Z, and Serpico. He wrote many works for the concert hall and stage as well, including an acclaimed ballet based on his music for Zorba the Greek and numerous symphonies and concertos. For the Theodorakis Centennial, we'll enjoy the Zorba Ballet and several other selections from the pen of this fascinating musician this afternoon 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”.

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