“Lewis and the orchestra held the audience spell-bound.”
Paul Pattison, KC Arts Beat, Sunday September 15, 2019
Interview in the Kansas City Star
Patrick Neas, Saturday September 7, 2019
Review of “Vieux Amis-Nouveaux Costumes: Old Friends in New Clothes”
The [Midwest] Chamber Ensemble, conducted in the fully instrumented works by Director Steve Lewis, rather clearly are in their element with this repertoire. The end result is a kind of conjoining magic of composition and performance, a real match of affinity.
Gregory Applegate Edwards, Classical-Modern Music Review, Tuesday September 3, 2019
Review of “Vieux Amis-Nouveaux Costumes: Old Friends in New Clothes”
“From the opening strains, I could already hear the strong sense of craftsmanship in this recording. The group sounds balanced and neat, bringing a nice background to Anderson’s beautiful vocals. …[T]he album is something any lover of French art music should enjoy, and samplings from the album, especially the French chansons on the first half, could easily make it into folks everyday listening lists.”
John Chittum, DiaKCritical: Kansas City, Thursday August 1, 2019
Interview in the Shawnee Mission Post
Leah Wankum, Friday July 12, 2019
Interview on KKFI 90.1 FM
Mark Andruss, Wednesday July 10, 2019
Review of “Forevermore Spohr”
”Their reading of Spohr's delightful Nonet is sunny and relaxed, with a pronounced pastoral, yet joyful feel.”
David Rowe, Classical CD Reviews, Tuesday, July 9, 2019
"The orchestra [Midwest Chamber Ensemble] is quite young in years, yet they have accomplished a lot by performing new composers alongside the standard repertoire and some unknown gems. Bravo for their variety and strong accomplishment thus far. Steve Lewis has achieved good results it what appears to be a 'gemutlich' atmosphere. ...[T]heir enjoyment of these pieces is quite evident. ...[T]he ensemble certainly makes a good showing."
Judges Comments, The American Prize, 2017
"The conducting, solo work and coordination of the ensemble’s performers was impressive indeed, demonstrating the important role that the Midwest Chamber Ensemble has assumed as one of the major players in this city’s rich collection of chamber music organizations."
Don Dagenais, KC Metropolis, Tuesday, May 9, 2017
"Lewis's conducting was fluid and strong...."
Jordan Buchholtz, KC Metropolis, Wednesday, February 17, 2016
"The Midwest Chamber Ensemble, under the unwavering direction of Steve Lewis..... The dynamic range of the ensemble as a whole was remarkable. The group was able to sound light and tender in all of the solemn moments, but have full, lush sounds of the larger, momentous sections."
Jessica E. Riggins, KC Metropolis, Wednesday, January 20, 2015
"Music Director Steve Lewis had good control and brought emotion out of the ensemble..... The Midwest Chamber Ensemble has garnered a well-deserved following and has a busy schedule for its next season. Its performance Sunday showed its performers’ finely-wrought musical skills...."
James Henry, KC Metropolis, Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Feature story about the Midwest Chamber Ensemble on KCUR
C.J. Janovy, Friday May 1, 2015
Interview on Kansas Public Radio
"There was always careful and thoughtful shaping of phrases.... Lewis conducted with a clear beat and an obvious enthusiasm for the music which the players mirrored."
Robert Pherigo, KC Metropolis, Wednesday, Nov 12, 2014
"Led by director Steve Lewis...[t]he small choir and orchestra achieved a balanced and beautiful blend of sound right from the first notes of the thoughtful Kyrie, with all parts easily heard."
Karen Hauge, KC Metropolis, Wednesday, April 3, 2013
"Steve Lewis conducted the Verdi, and I came away impressed. He used a no-frills approach that I wish we would see more of in young conductors, and the results spoke for themselves."
Erik Klackner, KC Metropolis, Wednesday, September 28, 2011
