Keith Lockhart Talks about TV Special and Holiday Pops

Somehow Merrie Olde England has a certain association with Christmas. Surely Charles Dickens and his A Christmas Carol plays a key role in that, but Shakespeare's The Twelfth Night, aids and abets the situation, as does Handel's Messiah and the plethora of carols and holiday music written by British composers. Therefore it is rather fitting that Maestro Keith Lockhart should call from London to talk about the upcoming Holiday season with the Boston Pops.

Lockhart, you may know, is the principal conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra in addition to serving as the conductor of the Boston Pops here in the States. He is also received the Bob Hope Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in 2006.

Sounding extremely well-rested and enthusiastic, the maestro chatted about the upcoming "Holiday Pops" season. "The season starts on November 30th," he comments. "They run through December 24th, as is usual. After Christmas we're presenting the film Back to the Future with a live orchestra for a bit of family fun outside the context of the holidays. We also have a New Year's Eve concert on the 31st so people can dance their way into the New Year with the Boston Pops."

Lockhart continues: "During this season, the concerts will be all orchestra and chorus, but we'll have guest narrators coming in to do 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. Right now we've lined up Gov. Charles Baker to do those honors at one performance but others are coming. We also have Jerry Kissel narrating How The Grinch Stole Christmas at one of our kiddie matinees. On the evening of our big company fundraiser ("A Company Christmas at the Pops") we'll be joined by Tony Award nominee Megan Hilty. She's very funny, very talented, and from what I understand--very pregnant, which is rather appropriate for Christmas, I suppose."

The big news from the Pops is that this season their beloved Christmas specials are returning to television this year. "We are being broadcast in most PBS markets. It's been quite some time since we've had a Christmas special on the national airwaves and this si something I think we do best; along with out annual 4th of July concerts. They keep our national reputation out there and I'm thrilled that people who don't live in the Greater Boston area will have a chance to see the Pops."

The special, called Happy Holidays with the Boston Pops will feature country singer Sara Evans and bass-baritone Justin Hopkins. Anyone who has heard Hopkins sing with the Pops on previous occasions know that this young man has a rich and marvelous voice and it will be a treat to hear him participate in the television program. Adding a very special touch to this event is Tony Award winner and Broadway Legend Robert Morse narrating A Visit From St. Nicholas. Morse, for those who don't realize it, was born in Shirley, MA--not all that far from Symphony Hall. He is currently appearing in the acclaimed revival of The Front Page on Broadway.

All of this is enough to bring plenty of Christmas cheer to the hearts of many. Now if we could add a few wassail bowls and plenty of of Figgy Pudding, we'd have a decent approximation of a Londong Christmas----Boston style.Somehow Merrie Olde England has a certain association with Christmas. Surely Charles Dickens and his A Christmas Carol plays a key role in that, but Shakespeare's The Twelfth Night, aids and abets the situation, as does Handel's Messiah and the plethora of carols and holiday music written by British composers. Therefore it is rather fitting that Maestro Keith Lockhart should call from London to talk about the upcoming Holiday season with the Boston Pops.

Lockhart, you may know, is the principal conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra in addition to serving as the conductor of the Boston Pops here in the States. He is also received the Bob Hope Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in 2006.

Sounding extremely well-rested and enthusiastic, the maestro chatted about the upcoming "Holiday Pops" season. "The season starts on November 30th," he comments. "They run through December 24th, as is usual. After Christmas we're presenting the film Back to the Future with a live orchestra for a bit of family fun outside the context of the holidays. We also have a New Year's Eve concert on the 31st so people can dance their way into the New Year with the Boston Pops."

Lockhart continues: "During this season, the concerts will be all orchestra and chorus, but we'll have guest narrators coming in to do 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. Right now we've lined up Gov. Charles Baker to do those honors at one performance but others are coming. We also have Jerry Kissel narrating How The Grinch Stole Christmas at one of our kiddie matinees. On the evening of our big company fundraiser ("A Company Christmas at the Pops") we'll be joined by Tony Award nominee Megan Hilty. She's very funny, very talented, and from what I understand--very pregnant, which is rather appropriate for Christmas, I suppose."

The big news from the Pops is that this season their beloved Christmas specials are returning to television this year. "We are being broadcast in most PBS markets. It's been quite some time since we've had a Christmas special on the national airwaves and this si something I think we do best; along with out annual 4th of July concerts. They keep our national reputation out there and I'm thrilled that people who don't live in the Greater Boston area will have a chance to see the Pops."

The special, called Happy Holidays with the Boston Pops will feature country singer Sara Evans and bass-baritone Justin Hopkins. Anyone who has heard Hopkins sing with the Pops on previous occasions know that this young man has a rich and marvelous voice and it will be a treat to hear him participate in the television program. Adding a very special touch to this event is Tony Award winner and Broadway Legend Robert Morse narrating A Visit From St. Nicholas. Morse, for those who don't realize it, was born in Shirley, MA--not all that far from Symphony Hall. He is currently appearing in the acclaimed revival of The Front Page on Broadway.

All of this is enough to bring plenty of Christmas cheer to the hearts of many. Now if we could add a few wassail bowls and plenty of of Figgy Pudding, we'd have a decent approximation of a London Christmas----Boston style.