By George--and by William Levi Dawson Too!

Blue Lake Public Radio | By Foley Schuler

Published September 25, 2025 at 5:27 PM EDT

Tune in Friday afternoon as Foley celebrates the September 26 birthdays of two trailblazing American composers.

Friday afternoon on Classical Music with Foley Schuler, we celebrate the birthdays of two American masters, George Gershwin and William Levi Dawson, born one year apart on September 26 (1898 and 1899 respectively), and who each, in his unique way, helped bring the African-American musical tradition into the concert hall—Gershwin with his Rhapsody in Blue, and William Levi Dawson with his Negro Folk Symphony. We'll hear both of these landmark works—and more. Hope you can join us!

You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selections—and stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon from 1 until 4 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 4 p.m. and “Sunday on Blue Lake”.

See stories by Foley Schuler