History of the Boston Pops Tours

History of Boston Pops Tours
The Boston Pops and Boston Pops
Esplanade orchestras have performed in 43 of the contiguous United
States, plus Hawaii and the District of Columbia. During John
Williams' tenure, the orchestra performed in concerts at the White
House and the Lincoln Memorial as part of the Pops' centennial
celebration in 1985, and the BPEO performed at the Statue of
Liberty on the occasion of the monument's rededication in 1986. Mr.
Williams also undertook three tours of Japan.
Since his appointment in February
1995, Keith Lockhart has led the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra on
28 tours of the United States, and made two Carnegie Hall
appearances with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Mr. Lockhart made his
first overseas tour with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra to
Japan and Korea in June 1997, and returned to Asia in July 2001,
2002, and 2003 for concerts in Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul. In February
2002, Mr. Lockhart and the Boston Pops made history by becoming the
first orchestra to be featured entertainment at a Super Bowl,
performing a selection of patriotic favorites, including the
National Anthem with guest vocalist Mariah Carey, during the Super
Bowl XXXVI Pregame Show. In February 2004, he led the orchestra in
its first concert at the famed Radio City Music Hall since the
Fiedler era, featuring Broadway star Linda Eder as special guest.
Mr. Lockhart and the orchestra appeared live on national television
with Sir Elton John during the NFL Season Kickoff special prior to
the first game of the 2004 NFL season at Gillette Stadium in
Foxboro, Massachusetts, in September 2004.
In addition to formal tours, the
Boston Pops also has numerous engagements year round throughout New
England and annual summer appearances at Tanglewood.