Tom Warren wrote: >Noone has mentioned Keith Lockhart for the position. He's a few years >older than that Austrian kid who's getting the nod, and he seems to have >earned his dues.It seems to me that it's the next step up from leading the >Pops. Lockhart just began as artistic director with the Utah Symphony Orchestra a year ago replacing the retiring Joseph Silverstein (also from Boston). After all the suppliant Lockhart's most sincere promises of a lasting relationship with the USO, I'd be pretty annoyed if he left for any reason. So far he's done a great job with PR, attracting young audiences and money, and I have had no complaint with him musically. We in Utah were permanently spoiled by Maurice Abravanel who dedicated his life to bringing the USO from a bush league collection of amatures to an orchestra of national importance (and if you don't agree, don't tell me; I'm damned proud of that group, and Abravanel is my life-long hero). To expect the same of Lockhart may be asking for the same miracle twice (if, that is, Lockhart is Abravanel's equal; time will tell); however, Lockhart had better stick around for a while longer. So, Tom, I hope he didn't read your posting and that he will not hear of the opening otherwise! Roy Ellefsen