By Judith Ritter
Toronto Globe and Mail
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.
Globe and Mail
The Boston Pops plays all over the world, so you must have flown just about everywhere?
Keith Lockhart
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.
Globe and Mail
Do you get any sleep on flights?
Keith Lockhart
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.
Globe and Mail
What is your worst airport security experience?
Keith Lockhart
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.
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