On March 31, nearly 300 members of the community filled the theater for an evening of conversation, laughter, and reflection with Keith Lockhart, the longtime conductor of the Boston Pops and father of Kellan ’28 and Chris ’30. 

Over the past three decades, Mr. Lockhart has led more than 2,250 performances, toured internationally, and conducted iconic  events in front of audiences of millions, including the renowned Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River. 

This student-led Xaverian Speaker Series event was the second hosted by Xaverian since 2023, with the inaugural program featuring former ambassador to Russia and Xaverian alumnus, John Sullivan ’77. An Evening with Keith Lockhart featured senior emcee, Nicholas Dempsey, and six student panelists, all of whom are immersed in the fine and performing arts programs at Xaverian: Sebastian Cadena ’31, Isaiah Green ’27, Luke Herman ’29, Cooper Marino ’27, Jeremy Brodeur ’29, and Joe Teevan ’27. The evening was structured as a friendly conversation rather than a formal speech. Instead of offering prepared remarks, Mr. Lockhart fielded questions asked by the student panelists, fostering a lively discussion that mixed deep reflection with humorous anecdotes.

One of the night’s most memorable moments came when the conversation turned to the purpose and power of music. “Music is a gift from God,” he said. “It really is a bridge. It cuts straight to the heart of what we think is important.” Mr. Lockhart also reflected on the changing role of classical music in modern culture. Rather than viewing orchestral music as something distant or inaccessible, he argued that music succeeds when it feels human and emotionally immediate. “The most important thing about a concert may not be actually performing the concert, it may just be gathering people together in one community.” 

One of the questions asked by the student panelists was, “Who is the most famous person you have ever met?” As Mr. Lockhart paused to deliberate on his answer, his wife Emiley called out from the audience, “What about the Queen of England?” The exchange drew laughter from the crowd. 

Beneath the humor, Mr. Lockhart’s message was one of passion and perseverance. “You spend all your time as a young conductor looking for that break into the profession, getting ready for something you don’t know is ever going to happen, but you have to have the faith to continue to get ready for it anyway,” he said.

Reflecting on the evening, Nicholas Dempsey shared: “What struck me most was how honest he was about uncertainty. He showed us that success is not about having every step planned out perfectly. It’s about continuing to prepare yourself and trust your passion even when the future is unclear.” Mr. Lockhart’s presence transformed the Xaverian stage into a crossroads of artistry and education, teaching students that discipline, humility, and faith must work in concert