Boston Pops Summer Concert Season

Thousands of people swarm to the Hatch Shell each July for an annual concert by the Boston Pops Orchestra, but Fourth of July is far from your only opportunity to catch this world-famous orchestra. In fact, the Pops have dozens of concerts scheduled between now and Independence Day. And if you haven’t already been inside Symphony Hall, then that in itself is practically worth the price of admission.

This beautifully ornate performance hall is considered by one of the best sounding classical concert venues in the world and is a national historic landmark built in 1900. But it’s not all stuffy and formal when the Pops are playing. The original vision for the Pops was to demystify orchestral music by mixing in a few familiar pop songs and performing them in a lighter, more accessible manner than a traditional orchestra concert.

They rearrange seats in the floor section so that patrons can dance to the music or enjoy a glass of wine as the orchestra plays movie themes, jazz music, and more. Conductor Keith Lockhart adds his lively personality and sense of humor to the concert, making jokes between songs and throwing in the occasional prop or shtick as he conducts.

Last year, my boyfriend and I went to a spring Pops concert that featured themes from Harry Potter, Star Wars, and other movie soundtracks composed by John Williams (who also happens to be a former Boston Pops conductor). This week the Pops are performing another movie tribute with selections from E.T., Singin’ in the Rain, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Royal Wedding.

Here are some of the Pops’ other upcoming concerts:

• May 30, SHARE THE BEAT with John Williams, James Denton, Phil Vassar and the Pops
• June 2 and 5,  Benny Goodman 100th Birthday Celebration
• June 3, Boston Pops with Trumpeter Chris Botti
• June 6, Gospel Night with Edwin Hawkins and the Boston Pops Gospel Choir
• June 9 and 10, Linder Eder Sings Judy Garland
• June 11 and 12, Apollo 11 Anniversary Concert

If for some reason you aren’t able to get to Symphony Hall for a concert, then you can get a taste of the Pops with short videos on the Pops website. Here’s a link to a video promo for Baseball Night at Pops.

Tell us! Have you attended a Boston Pops concert? Which songs were your favorites?

Flickr photo courtesy of RedBegbie