Photo: Boston Pops
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The holiday season has arrived, and with it comes the Holiday Pops.
Ahead of the first show, WBZ’s Drew Moholland sat down with Keith Lockhart, who has been the Conductor of the Boston Pops for three decades. Their first official show at Symphony Hall is set for Thursday, Dec. 4, but they will host members of the military community for a special preview of the show on Wednesday night.
“It’s a tradition that we started with the help of the Highland Street Foundation a couple of years ago, and it's really caught on. It’s a great way to help some people celebrate who may [face challenges, or] may have loved ones far from home,” said Lockhart.
Lockhart thinks this year’s crowds will particularly enjoy the Holiday Pops’ narrator, chorus, and orchestra version of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol.”
“[It’s] a piece that I think speaks with as much resonance this year as it ever has with its story of redemption and meanness,” said Lockhart.
When the Holiday Pops open to the public on Thursday, they will play for more than 100,000 people across roughly 50 shows ahead of Christmas. A good night's sleep is important with that busy schedule, so Lockhart has gotten creative in the past.
“I have spent the night in Symphony Hall. I don’t know if that’s actually public knowledge or not. Only once and that was a long time ago,” said Lockhart with a chuckle. “Generally speaking, I pretty much am there except for while I’m sleeping the next three weeks.”
The packed schedule is a small sacrifice in Lockhart’s eyes, who said we could all use some extra joy this holiday season.
“It is really cool that the Boston Pops brand goes back for so many years, and so many people think of it as one of those things that really defines Boston. We’re happy to contribute to that,” Lockhart added.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Drew Moholland (@DrewWBZ) reports.