Boston Pops Orchestra

The Boston Pops Orchestra was formed in 1881 as an offshoot of the Boston Symphony to present “lighter” music, including current hits, show tunes, and novelty songs. ∙ In 1930, conductor Arthur Fiedler led a movement to bring orchestral music to the masses by presenting Boston Pops concerts in parks where the public could enjoy the music for free. ∙ Fiedler spent 50 years as conductor for the Boston Pops, and during this time it became the best-selling orchestra in the world, moving over 50 million records. ∙ He started two of Boston’s longest-running annual traditions, the Holiday Pops Christmas show and the Fourth of July Pops concert and fireworks show. ∙ In 1979, renowned film composer John Williams, at the time best known for writing the music for the Star Wars franchise, succeeded Fiedler as conductor for the Boston Pops. ∙ Williams began the tradition of inviting guests from outside the classical music world to perform with the orchestra, starting in 1988 with Sammy Davis, Jr. ∙ After Williams retired from full-time conducting in 1995, Keith Lockhart continued in that role for more than 25 years.