Boston Pops Has New Conductor

Keith Lockhart took the helm of the Boston Pops on Monday, claiming a baton held by just two other men in the last 65 years: the legendary Arthur Fiedler and renowned composer John Williams.

“The Boston Pops is truly America’s orchestra,” Lockhart said. “For millions of people, myself included … some of our first tastes of the grandeur and the excitement of symphonic music were through listening to this orchestra.”

Fiedler died in 1979 and Williams retired as conductor of the 110-year-old orchestra in 1993. Guest conductors have filled the void since then.

Previously, Lockhart, 35, was associate conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony.