Two American Masterworks

Blue Lake Public Radio | By Foley Schuler

Published February 17, 2026 at 7:44 PM EST

Tune in Wednesday afternoon as Foley features American symphonic works by Deems Taylor and Howard Hanson—both permiered on 18th of February 46 years apart—and both featuring Gerard Schwarz leading the Seattle Symphony.

Wednesday afternoon's Classical Music With Foley Schuler will feature one of the leading interpreters of the American symphonic repertoire of our time, Gerard Schwarz, conducting the Seattle Symphony in the best known work by Deems Taylor—his orchestral suite Through the Looking Glass—and Howard Hanson's Symphony No. 5, "Symphony Sacra," both permiered on February 18, in 1919 and 1955 respecctively.

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