Boston Pops conductor to present Gray Memorial Lecture Nov. 13

The School of Fine Arts presents the Robert H. Gray Memorial Lecture featuring Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops, on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. in von der Mehden Recital Hall. Admission is free and the public is invited.

Lockhart’s talk will focus on his personal development as a leading conductor and his vision for the future of music.

“Keith Lockhart’s charisma inspires young artists and holds a fascination particularly for our conducting students,” says David G. Woods, dean of the School of Fine Arts.

Lockhart was appointed conductor of the widely popular orchestra the Boston Pops in 1995, following the legendary Arthur Fiedler and Academy Award-winning John Williams.

He has continued traditions such as the “Fourth of July Spectacular” and “Evening at the Pops” on PBS, while also breaking new ground for the orchestra. “Edgefest” brings alternative, jazz, and ethnic musicians to the Boston Pops; “POPSearch” showcases amateur singers (similar to “American Idol”); and the “High School Singoff” celebrates talented high school students in competition. Lockhart also took the Boston Pops to the 2002 Superbowl, the first time an orchestra had performed in that venue.

Lockhart has recorded 11 albums with the Boston Pops. In 2002, he received an Emmy nomination for the “Fourth of July Spectacular” and the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for “Fiddlers Three” on PBS. In 2006, he received the Bob Hope Patriot Award honoring a person who encourages love of country and service to the United States.

Lockhart will also appear at UConn on Dec. 6 when he directs the Boston Pops’ Winter Holiday Special at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. For information, see www.jorgensen.edu.

The Robert Gray Memorial Fund, named for the former dean of the School of Fine Arts, who died in 1999, brings internationally known artists to Storrs to work with students and faculty and present a public lecture.