Megan Hilty, Matthew Morrison & More to Be Featured in Boston Pops' Spring 2013 Season

The 2013 Boston Pops season, May 8-June 15, under the direction of Keith Lockhart, will present a season-long tribute to the world of movie music, along with programs featuring a wide variety of American musical styles, including jazz, bluegrass, country, gospel, pop, classic standards from the 50s and 60s, and show-stopping songs of Broadway and the American Songbook. For the programs focusing on the season theme, "Best of Hollywood Film Music," audiences will hear their favorite music from classic movies and today's popular soundtracks performed live by the Boston Pops, while the accompanying movie clips are projected onto a giant screen suspended above the orchestra. Tickets to the 2013 Boston Pops season go on sale to the public on Wednesday, December 5, at 888-266-1200 or www.bostonpops.org.

Designed to appeal to audiences of all ages, highlights of the film-focused season include Fantasia in Concert featuring musical selections from Fantasia 2000 and the original 1940 movie Fantasia-one of the crown jewels of feature animation highlighting some of the most memorable classical music ever composed; Pixar in Concert, with hits from the movie studio's thirteen feature films, including Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., and Brave, among others; a tribute to the legendary film and Broadway composer Marvin Hamlisch, creator of the iconic scores to A Chorus Line, The Way We Were, and The Sting; and the ever-popular Film Night, under the direction of Boston Pops Conductor Laureate John Williams, one of America's most accomplished and successful composers for film and for the concert stage.

The May 8 Opening Night Concert of the 2013 Boston Pops season will feature country superstar Vince Gill joining Keith Lockhart and the orchestra in a selection of his most popular hit songs. To launch the season's Best of Hollywood Film Music theme, the opening night program will also spotlight the Boston Pops Orchestra in performances of some of the most popular music of the silver screen. In celebration of the 2013 Boston Pops season theme, the orchestra invites film music fans to participate in programming the season by submitting their favorite themes to popsmoviemusic@bso.org; the top three selections will be performed during the 2013 Boston Pops season.

"We are delighted to present the 'Best of Hollywood Film Music' 2013 Boston Pops season, May 8-June 15," said Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart. "Since virtually everyone loves movies and movie music, I can't think of a better season theme to draw our loyal audience and welcome new comers to experience the thrill of hearing this extraordinary music performed by the one and only Boston Pops in the remarkable setting of Symphony Hall. I hope movie lovers near and far will send in their favorite themes to popsmoviemusic@bso.org and help us fill in our programming with what is sure to be the very best of what the world of film music has to offer."

In addition, the 2013 Boston Pops season will present two of today's most popular singers from the worlds of television and Broadway. Megan Hilty, star of the hit NBC series SMASH and the Broadway stage makes her Boston Pops debut in an evening of Hollywood's Greatest Love Songs, including "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," among other selections. Tony-award nominated Matthew Morrison, now instantly recognizable as Will Schuester from the hit Fox television show Glee, join the Pops in an evening of song and dance reminiscent of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, and other classic movie dance moments.

The 21st annual Gospel Night at the Boston Pops will feature conductor, pianist, and composer Charles Floyd, the all-volunteer Boston Pops Gospel Choir, and a special guest appearance by the inspirational baritone Wintley Phipps on May 25. Rounding out the season with programs of the classic standards of the '50s and '60s, Boston Pops concerts on May 21, 22, 13, 23, and June 1 draw inspiration from the award-winning AMC television show Mad Men. These performances welcome Steve Lippia, who Pops conductor Keith Lockhart has called, "the absolute vocal reincarnation of the Sinatra sound." The 2013 Boston Pops ends June 13-15 with a tribute to Nashville's "Music City Hitmakers," celebrating the songwriters behind some of country music's biggest hits, including Brett James and Hillary Lindsey. This special program will focus on patriotic music that honors the men and women who have served in the armed forces, with selections including "It's America," "Coming Home" from the film Country Strong,and "There's A Place For Us" from the last installment of the Narnia series.

OPENING NIGHT WITH Vince Gill (MAY 8)
The Boston Pops spring season inspired by the music of the movies will kick off with a Keith Lockhart-led Opening Night featuring classic movie themes from films including Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, and Cinema Paradiso, as well as the classical music brought to animated life in Disney's Fantasia and some recent hits from Boston Pops Laureate conductor John Williams. The second half of Opening Night of Pops on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, welcomes the country crooning of Nashville superstar Vince Gill. Second only to the legendary Brooks and Dunn for winning the most Country Music Awards in history, Vince Gill has 26 million album sales under his belt, and has produced hit songs such as "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away," "When I Call Your Name," and "Whenever You Come Around" during a career spanning three decades.Gill's post-intermission set will feature some of his most best-known tunes and a complimentary pre-concert reception will be available to ticket holders free of charge during the Opening Night festivities.

DISNEY'S FANTASIA: LIVE IN CONCERT (MAY 9, 10,&11)
Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops dive into a spring of cinematic celebration on May 9, performing a series of film-driven concerts featuring excerpts from Walt Disney's Fantasia 2000 and the original Fantasia, the 1940 Technicolor masterpiece that has served as an introduction to symphonic music for music lovers of all ages. As full scenes from these animated films are projected above the Boston Pops stage, Keith and the orchestra will perform excerpts from Beethoven's Symphony Nos. 5 and 6, George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, and excerpts from Respighi's The Pines of Rome. These performances will also include the unforgettable animated tale of magician-understudy Mickey Mouse, whose attempts to wield the magic of his master go awry, set to Paul Dukas's symphonic poem The Sorcerer's Apprentice. The first half of each performance will be devoted to some of the greatest movie themes of our times; the sweeping illustrated world of unicorns, winged horses, and quirky characters in Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 will immerse listeners into a landscape of saturated sound and color for the entire second half of the concert. Boston Pops fans of all ages are also welcome to the matinee concert at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, which includes a 50 percent ticket discount for children 12 and younger. Presentation licensed by Disney Concert Library © Disney.

A TRIBUTE TO Marvin Hamlisch (MAY 14 & 15)
Boston Pops performances on Tuesday, May 14, and Wednesday, May 15, pay tribute to the wonderful talents of the late Marvin Hamlisch, one of the greatest contributors to music over the last century. While serving as the Principal Pops Conductor for many of the country's top orchestras, including frequent guest appearances with the Boston Pops, Hamlisch composed film scores for more than forty motion pictures. To celebrate this great musical legacy, conductor Keith Lockhart will lead the Boston Pops in the infectious tunes from Hamlisch's groundbreaking show A Chorus Line; music from his film scores to the movies Sophie's Choice, Ice Castles, and his Academy Award-winning score to The Way We Were, as well his musical treatment of many of Scott Joplin's rags, including "The Entertainer," featured in the hit film The Sting. An admirable line-up of Broadway talent will be featured with Keith and the Pops, including Broadway legend Donna McKechnie, who won a Tony for the role of Cassie in the original A Chorus Line. Also joining the orchestra are actress and vocalist Jodi Benson, who notably performed the vocals for Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid and Doug La Brecque, a frequent musical collaborator of Mr. Hamlisch, who over the course of his expansive artistic career won virtually every major award: three Golden Globes and three Oscars, four Emmys, four Grammys, and a Tony. These performances mark a Boston Pops debut for both Donna McKechnie and Jodi Benson.

MUSIC OF THE MAD MEN ERA (MAY 21, 22, 31 & JUNE 1)
The Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart will invoke the sophistication and style of the 1960s in concerts throughout May and June inspired by AMC's period drama Mad Men. Song stylist Steve Lippia, whom Keith Lockhart has called, "the absolute vocal reincarnation of the Sinatra sound," will step into the limelight, to perform the smoky Rat Pack standards that define the chic sounds of the '60's. Lockhart, Lippia, and the Boston Pops will perform everything ranging from this era's lounge Latin to the tunes of the British Invasion, as well as songs such as "Zou Bisou, Bisou," "Mack the Knife," and "New York, New York.

Megan Hilty FROM SMASH (MAY 23 & 24)
On May 23 and 24, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops will celebrate the passion of the silver screen in two performances of Hollywood's Greatest Love Songs featuring Megan Hilty, whose budding Broadway career led her to a leading role on NBC's award-winning television show Smash. Expect to hear Ms. Hilty's voice soar above the orchestra on songs including "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," from Gentleman Prefer Blondes. In addition, the Pops will perform cinematic classics including Max Steiner's theme to Gone with the Wind, and "Can You Read My Mind"from Superman, written by Pops Laureate Conductor John Williams. The Boston Pops will also perform renditions of Hollywood tunes including Henry Mancini's luscious "Moon River," from Breakfast at Tiffany's and James Horner's haunting "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic.

GOSPEL NIGHT WITH Charles Floyd AND WINTLEY PHIPPS (MAY 25)
The Boston Pops will once again join forces with conductor, pianist, and composer Charles Floyd for a spirit-raising Gospel Night on Saturday, May 25 featuring vocals by Floyd's all-volunteer Boston Pops Gospel Choir, and inspirational baritone Wintley Phipps in his Boston Pops debut. One of the most consistently popular spring series Pops concerts since its inception in 1993, Gospel Night, entering its 21st year, marries traditional and contemporary American gospel music to present some of the best tunes from this powerful genre. The signature Gospel vocals of Mr. Phipps and the Boston Pops Gospel Choir promise to elate the hearts and ears of listeners.

Matthew Morrison IN AN EVENING OF SONG AND DANCE (MAY 28 & 29)
Before he attained national fame for his Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated role as Will Schuester on the hit Fox television show Glee, Matthew Morrison was a Tony-nominated Broadway leading man appearing in the shows Hairspray, Light in the Piazza, and South Pacific at Lincoln Center. Morrison, a modern song-and-dance man who takes his cues from the likes of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, will join the Boston Pops on stage in the Keith Lockhart-led performances on May 28 and 29. These evenings will feature music from Mr. Morrison's upcoming album of Broadway standards.

2013 FIDELITY INVESTMENTS YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION AT THE BOSTON POPS
(MAY 29)
Following its phenomenal success in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition at the Boston Pops returns to Symphony Hall in 2013. Created by Fidelity Investments to expand its long-standing support of the arts in local communities, the Young Artists Competition at the Boston Pops is an opportunity for High School students to compete for a chance to perform at a special Boston Pops Concert on May 29th at Symphony Hall. Up to four instrumental and/or vocal grand prize winners will be selected. The application process will begin in January. Complete competition rules and application will be available in January at www.bostonpops.org.

PRESIDENTS AT POPS, MAY 30
The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston's corporate community celebrate the 32nd annual Presidents at Pops on Thursday, May 30, at Symphony Hall. The BSO's largest fundraising event, Presidents at Pops is designed for Boston business leaders and their guests, and celebrates the unique partnership between the BSO and the corporate community. Combined with its sister event, A Company Christmas at Pops, Presidents at Pops has helped to raise more than $45 million since its inception in 1982. Presidents at Pops raised over $1 million last year. Funds raised through this event help support the BSO's Education and Community Engagement programs throughout the year. Ticket packages are available starting at $5,500. For more information, please contact Mary Thomson, Director of Corporate Initiatives, at 617-638-9278. Additional details about this gala fundraiser will be announced at a later date.

PIXAR IN CONCERT WITH MUSIC AND FILM CLIPS (JUNE 4 & 5)
Thomas Wilkins, the Boston Symphony's Youth and Family Concerts Conductor will present the Boston Pops first-ever "Pixar in Concert," on June 4 and 5. The entire program will be devoted to the memorable scores from each of Pixar's animated features including Wall-E, UP, Finding Nemo, Cars, A Bug's Life, and Toy Story, with visually stunning clips from the animated films shown in tandem with the music. Maestro Wilkins and the Boston Pops will perform music written by Randy Newman, Michael Giacchino, Thomas Newman, and Patrick Doyle while beloved Pixar characters make on-screen cameos in Symphony Hall. Both evenings of the Pixar in Concert series will end with a rendition of Randy Newman's "You've Got a Friend in Me," of Toy Story fame. Presentation licensed by Disney Concert Library © Disney/Pixar

MAESTRO AT THE MOVIES: John Williams FILM NIGHT (JUNE 7, 8, 11, & 12)
The ever-popular Film Night returns this spring in a four-concert series led by Boston Pops Laureate Conductor John Williams, whose unparalleled contributions to cinematic music have spanned decades. These concerts will showcase some of the biggest blockbuster scores written by the highly acclaimed composer such as music from the films Jaws, Star Wars, and the Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter series. Maestro Williams will also lead the talented musicians of the Boston Pops in selections from the score to Lincoln, the living legend's most recent collaboration with Steven Spielberg.

A COUNTRY SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS, (JUNE 13, 14,&15)
The Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart will welcome Nashville's elite songwriters, Music City Hitmakers Brett James and Hillary Lindsey, in their Boston Pops debuts June 13-15 for patriotic performances presented with a country twang. In this powerful program saluting the brave men and women who defend our freedom each and every day, the Hitmakers will share the behind-the-scenes stories which resulted in the creation of pop and pop country hits written for such stars as Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and Lady Antebellum. Along with performances of "It's America," "Jesus Take the Wheel," "Mr. Know-It-All," and other well-known tunes from the heartland, these concerts will feature "Coming Home" from the film Country Strong as well as "There's A Place For Us," from the final installment of the Narnia series. A Country Salute to our Troops is presented by the Boston Pops in time for Flag Day on June 14.

BOSTON POPS PERFORM ON THE CHARLES RIVER ESPLANADE, JULY 4
Always a summer highlight, the Pops will once again throw one of the country's largest Fourth-of-July parties on the Charles River Esplanade with a special guest artist to be announced at later date. The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, in its 40th year, is sponsored by Liberty Mutual Group, one of America's leading insurers, offering auto, home and life insurance for individuals and families, and a variety of insurance products and services for businesses.

BOSTON POPS CONCERTS AT TANGLEWOOD AND ON THE CAPE AND ISLANDS
The Pops return to Tanglewood, the acclaimed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, for five additional concerts in the 2013 season, first under the direction of Keith Lockhart in a country music concert with Vince Gill for a matinee Shed on Sunday, July 7. On Tuesday, August 6, Keith Lockhart leads the orchestra during Tanglewood on Parade, the music festival's annual blow-out celebration that features the Boston Pops, Boston Symphony, and Tanglewood Music Center orchestras. On Friday, August 16, American Songbook stylist Michael Feinstein and friends take the Shed stage with the Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart to perform standards from this timeless American repertoire. The ever-popular John Williams' Film Night will take place on Saturday, August 24; the program will feature Mr. Williams, Hollywood composer and conductor David Newman and acclaimed vocalist and actress Audra McDonald. The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra brings the 2013 Tanglewood season to a close with a matinee performance on Sunday, September 1, led by BSO Youth and Family Concerts Conductor Thomas Wilkins.

Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra will also perform the traditional yearly concerts on Nantucket's Jetties Beach on August 10, 2013, as well as on the Hyannis Town Green in Hyannis, MA on August 11, 2013.