BWW Interviews: Maestro Keith Lockhart of the Boston Pops

When one thinks of the Boston Pops, recollections of a grand orchestral sound come to mind, along with memories of brilliant conducting by Maestro Keith Lockhart, incredibly fine arrangements and a long list of Broadway guest stars. These have included Christine Ebersole, Patti LuPone, Nathan Lane, Victoria Clarke, Jason Danieley, Marin Mazzie, John Barrowman, Faith Prince and a host of others. In the coming weeks, the name of R&B singer Melinda Doolitle can be added to the list. Ms Doolittle, who made such a vivid impression on viewers of "American Idol" during its sixth season, will be joining the orchestra on their annual holiday tour. During these wonderful and spirited concerts, Ms Doolittle (no relation to Eliza!) will show off her powerful and soulful voice in such holiday favorites as "Joy to the World" and "Do You Hear What I Hear?" in what promises to be a series of memorable concerts.

"She's got a sensational voice," remarked Maestro Keith Lockhart of Ms Doolittle. "Her recordings are just wonderful. The quality of your soloists adds so much to a concert. I'm looking forward to working with her." The Boston Pops Holiday tour begins this week in Storrs, CT and then move down to CW Post's Tilles Center on Long Island. That very evening, the orchestra heads to Newark, New Jersey's NJPAC. There will also be appearances in New Hampshire and Lowell, MA. "It's an abbreviated tour this year, but we're doing plenty of concerts in Boston's Symphony Hall," remarks the Maestro. "Touring is one of the most expensive propositions an orchestra can make and in these economic times, you can understand why we've had fewer lately." Next year promises to have many of the orchestra's previous stops restored, though.

"We have a knack for doing these holiday concerts," continues Lockhart, "It's one of the best things we do. I think we have an incredible library at our disposal and so many great arrangements that we're very proud of." The Maestro's pride is well-placed because many of the Pops' holiday favorites have become beloved parts of the Christmas season. Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" was commissioned by the Pops and is such a perennial favorite that it is even being used as ringtones these days.

The Holiday Concerts will also feature Gloriae Dei Cantores, a choir that has almost been a staple for the Pops during their seasonal concerts. "They're a wonderful chorus of about 40 people, who are very much in the 'English Choir' tradition," explains Lockhart. "They are part of a religious order that follows the Rule of St. Benedict and is affiliated with the Episcopal denomination. The group consists of a combination of people from the community and people who've lived and worked for The Community of Jesus. They're under the direction of a wonderful lady named Elizabeth Patterson who is just a master of that incredibly well-blended, nothing-sticks-out, English choral sound. They are absolutely one of the best choruses I've ever worked with." He continues with an anecdote dating back to one of his first years with the Pops: "Someone said that we were looking for a chorus to take on tour and someone else suggested this group. I felt that we didn't need a church choir, but rather a real chorus. I listened to some of their recording and was immediately sold on them. They're really extraordinary!" When they're not touring with the Boston Pops, Gloriae Dei Cantores can be heard at the Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans, MA in the area of Cape Cod.

What makes Gloriae Dei Cantores so special is that when they are called to break out of their church-like quality, they do it with aplomb. One of the highlights of the Pops' recent Holiday concerts is their hilarious arrangement of "The Twelve Days of Christmas". It's David Chase's zany and ingenious setting of this Christmas favorite which included musical quotations from such well-known works as OKLAHOMA!, SWAN LAKE, DAS RHEINGOLD, and even "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth". One would never believe that a church choir was performing this piece. "They're fantastic!" laughs Lockhart. "It's so funny because they're a moderately conservative group of people and they rarely get a chance in their normal liturgical chorus to have so much fun doing things. When they do break out that way, they're just wonderful!" He also adds that they're "a fine group of musical colleagues."

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