Boston Pops to Present 32 Concerts December 11-28
Keith Lockhart to Premiere The Polar Express
By: Charles Giuliano - Nov 21, 2008
One of the great Holiday traditions in Boston is the annual seasonal run of the Boston Pops, conducted by Keith Lockhart, at Symphony Hall. What follows is the press release from the BSO and the schedule of 32 performances from December 11 through 28.
Symphony Hall resounds with the music of the holiday season as Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops open their 2008 Holiday Season on Thursday, December 11, which continues through Sunday, December 28. In addition, festively decorated Symphony Hall captures the magic of this special time of year, making Holiday Pops one of Boston 's greatest holiday traditions.
Mr. Lockhart leads the Pops, joined by the immensely popular Tanglewood Festival Chorus, in a host of familiar Christmastime favorites including Handel's joyous "Hallelujah Chorus," "Joy to the World," "White Christmas," "Go Tell It On the Mountain," and "Let There Be Peace on Earth." The chorus will also be showcased in the world premiere of "The Polar Express," featuring the narrative and illustrations from Chris Van Allsburg's best-selling book and music from the film version by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard. The Boston Pops-commissioned arrangement of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," which made its premiere to standing ovations in the 2007 Holiday Pops season, will make a welcome return in this year's program. In addition to these two new works, the 2008 Holiday Pops program offers a wide array of beloved holiday favorites—from the Pops' signature "Sleigh Ride" to music from The Nutcracker to "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas," from John Williams' score to Home Alone--the program has something for everyone. Additionally, each family-friendly evening of classic seasonal favorites concludes with a visit from Santa and a merry sing-along featuring "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Let It Snow," "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland," and "Jingle Bells."
This year's Holiday Pops season includes 32 pre- and post-Christmas evening and matinee concerts. The season features six special kids' matinee concerts on Saturday, December 13 (11 a.m.); Sunday, December 14 (11 a.m.); Thursday, December 18 (4 p.m.); Saturday, December 20 (11 a.m.); Sunday, December 21 (11 a.m.), and Wednesday, December 24 (11 a.m.). These family concerts include a children's sing-along, and parents can bring cameras to take photos of their children with Santa. Table seats will include a kid-friendly menu, along with special holiday treats.
Keith Lockhart
Keith Lockhart became the twentieth conductor of the Boston Pops in 1995, adding his artistic vision to the Pops tradition established by his predecessors John Williams and Arthur Fiedler. Mr. Lockhart has worked with a wide array of established artists from virtually every corner of the entertainment world, while also promoting programs that focus on talented young musicians from the Tanglewood Music Center , Boston Conservatory, and Berklee College of Music. During his 14-year tenure, he has conducted more than 1,000 Boston Pops concerts and introduced the innovative JazzFest and EdgeFest series, which feature the Pops performing with prominent jazz and indie artists. Mr. Lockhart has also introduced concert performances of full-length Broadway shows, including Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel and Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, and the PopSearch and High School Sing-Off vocal competitions open to the general public. Under his leadership, the Boston Pops has commissioned several new works and dozens of new arrangements. Keith Lockhart is loved by audiences far and wide for his inimitable style, expressed not only through his consummate music-making, but also by his unique ability to speak directly to the audience about the music to which he is so passionately committed.
Mr. Lockhart and the Boston Pops have released three self-produced recordings (available at bostonpops.org), including Sleigh Ride, America, and, most recently, Oscar & Tony. They have also recorded eight albums with RCA Victor—Runnin' Wild: The Boston Pops Play Glenn Miller, American Visions, the Grammy-nominated The Celtic Album, Holiday Pops, A Splash of Pops, Encore!, the Latin Grammy-nominated The Latin Album, and My Favorite Things: A Richard Rodgers Celebration. Keith Lockhart has made 66 television shows with the Boston Pops, most recently leading a concert featuring jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, and special guests Sting, John Mayer, and Steven Tyler, which was taped for national broadcast on PBS in March 2009; the concert was also recorded for future release on DVD and CD. The annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is broadcast nationally on CBS Television. Mr. Lockhart has also led the Boston Pops in many Holiday Pops telecasts, as well as 38 new programs for Evening at Pops (1970–2004). Under his direction, the Boston Pops has presented 31 national tours, performed at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall , and brought the music of " America 's Orchestra" overseas in four tours of Japan and Korea . Mr. Lockhart has also led the Boston Pops in performances at several major sports events, including game two of the 2008 NBA playoffs, the 2004 NFL Season Kickoff television special, and the pre-game show of Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans .
Born in Poughkeepsie , N.Y. , Keith Lockhart began his musical studies with piano lessons at the age of seven. He holds degrees from Furman University in Greenville , S.C. , and Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh , and has previously served as associate conductor of both the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops orchestras. In addition to guest conducting appearances in the United States and abroad, Mr. Lockhart also holds the titles of artistic advisor and principal conductor of the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina . As Music Director of the Utah Symphony since 1998, Mr. Lockhart led that orchestra at the 2002 Olympic Games; he will conclude his tenure there after the 2008-09 season. Visit keithlockhart.com for further information.
Ticket and Sponsorship Information
Tickets are on sale at the Symphony Hall Box Office, online at www.bostonpops.org and through SymphonyCharge at 888-266-1200. Tickets for the 2008 Holiday Pops Series range from $27-$122 depending on date and time. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The Box Office remains open through intermission on concert nights. American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, personal checks, and cash are all accepted. There is a $5.50 per ticket handling fee for tickets ordered by phone or online. Patrons with disabilities can access Symphony Hall through the Cohen Wing on Huntington Avenue . An access service center, accessible restrooms, and elevators are available inside this entrance. For ticket information, call the Disability Services Information Line at 617-638-9431 or TTD/TTY 617-638-9289.
All Holiday Pops patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
The 2008 Holiday Pops season is sponsored by Fidelity Investments. New England Coffee is the official coffee of the Boston Pops. The 8 p.m. concert on December 11 is sponsored by The Fairmont Copley Plaza , the official hotel of the Boston Pops. The 8 p.m. concert on December 12 is sponsored by John Hancock Financial Services. Commonwealth Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation is the official chauffeured transportation of the Boston Pops and has sponsored the 7:30 p.m. concert on December 13. UBS is the sponsor of the 8 p.m. concert on December 16. American Airlines is airline partner of the Boston Pops and has sponsored the 8 p.m. concert on December 18.
Programs and artists are subject to change. For further information, call the Boston Pops at 617-266-1492 or visit the orchestra online at www.bostonpops.org.
2008 BOSTON POPS HOLIDAY SERIES
Thursday, December 11, 8 p.m.
Sponsored by The Fairmont Copley Plaza
Friday, December 12, 4 p.m.
Friday, December 12, 8 p.m.
Sponsored by John Hancock Financial Services
Saturday, December 13, 11 a.m.
Saturday, December 13, 3 p.m.
Saturday, December 13, 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Commonwealth Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation
Sunday, December 14, 11 a.m.
Sunday, December 14, 3 p.m.
Sunday, December 14, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, December 15, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, December 16, 8 p.m.
Sponsored by UBS
Thursday, December 18, 4 p.m.
Thursday, December 18, 8 p.m.
Sponsored by American Airlines
Friday, December 19, 4 p.m.
Friday, December 19, 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 20, 11 a.m.
Saturday, December 20, 3 p.m.
Saturday, December 20, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 21, 11 a.m.
Sunday, December 21, 3 p.m.
Sunday, December 21, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, December 22, 4 p.m.
Monday, December 22, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, December 23, 4 p.m.
Tuesday, December 23, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 24, 11 a.m.
Wednesday, December 24, 3 p.m.
Friday, December 26, 4 p.m.
Friday, December 26, 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 27, 4 p.m.
Saturday, December 27, 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 28, 8 p.m.