Keith Lockhart is the well-travelled conductor of the Boston Pops and the music director of the Utah Symphony. He has been a guest conductor of the Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto symphonies and of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa.
The Boston Pops plays all over the world, so you must have flown just about everywhere?
I think I fly an average of about once a week when I guest-conduct, but when I am on tour we fly every day. I once figured I have conducted in 38 states and five provinces. I also fly back and forth from Boston to Salt Lake City and add to that yearly trips to Europe and Asia for concerts.
Do you get any sleep on flights?
I take a lot of red-eyes because I hate to lose a full day, so I have to sleep on those flights and on overseas flights because often when I get off the plane I have to go directly to rehearsal. I always have an eye mask with me and I sometimes take a low-dosage prescription sleeping pill.
What is your worst airport security experience?
Right after 9/11 I had my batons confiscated. The security officer said, "What are these sharp objects?" I explained, but he didn't let me take them anyway.
Do you listen to music on the plane?
Never! I don't listen to music for relaxation because it isn't relaxing for me. When I hear music, my "business brain" switches on. I do have an iPod and have things on it besides classical, like Ella Fitzgerald, 10,000 Maniacs and an alternative band I like called My Morning Jacket, but I don't listen to that on the plane.
Some people really like to chat on planes. What about you?
I hate that! I am polite, but I try not to engage people because the plane is one of the few opportunities I have not to talk to people. I'm pretty anti-social. I did meet Dan Rather once in Austin. He is the only one of the major U.S. anchors I hadn't been interviewed by, and we had a nice talk.
People must recognize you and ask for autographs sometimes?
That does happen, especially on flights to and from Boston. I generally try to keep my head down, but if they approach me, I do talk with them, sign things and encourage them to study music.
What improvements would you like to see on planes?
A big improvement would be seats that are better for the back. Conductors are on their feet all the time, and it would be nice to have an ergonomic seat on the plane. I did fly Emirates airline once through Dubai to Nairobi and that gave me a good idea of how good an airline could be.
