2015-16 Season
*All events held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 9100 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS, unless otherwise noted. Admission to all concerts is free, but donations are appreciated to support our young musicians.
September 6, 2015 / 7:30 p.m. / Pre-Concert Talk at 6:45
Opening Night!
The Midwest Chamber Ensemble's fourth season officially opens with the winner of the 2015 Youth Concerto Competition, Emily Casteen, performing the first movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21. Music Director Steve Lewis leads Beethoven's FirstSymphony.
October 11, 2015 / 7:30 p.m.
Ladies' Night 2.0
Members of the Midwest Chamber Ensemble present chamber music by female composers, including Kansas City's own Ingrid Stölzel, assistant professor at the University of Kansas.
November 1, 2015 / 7:30 p.m. / Pre-Concert Talk at 6:45
Guest Artist Keith Kirchoff
Pianist Keith Kirchoff joins the Midwest Chamber Ensemble for the premiere of a new piano concerto by Kansas City Composer Michael Miller, and Music Director Steve Lewis leads Haydn's Symphony No. 101, "The Clock."
January 17, 2016 / 7:30 p.m.
New Arrangements, New Music
Pianist Mary Rose Norell makes her MCE debut premiering Composer-in-Residence Joseph Kern's new transcription of Mussorgsky's PIctures at an Exhibition for piano and chamber ensemble. Guest conductor Edward Leonard leads Lee Hartman's Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde Suite.
Saturday, January 30, 2016 / 5:00 p.m.
St. Mary's Episcopal, 1307 Holmes St., Kansas City, MO
Sunday, January 31, 2016 / 7:30 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 9100 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS
MCE BRASSTACULAR!
The Midwest Chamber Ensemble features its Brass Section led by Music Director Steve Lewis performing works by Barber, Dukas, Elgar and more!
February 14, 2016 / 7:30 p.m.
Fourth Annual Valentine's Day Concert
Midwest Chamber Ensemble's Chamber Music Coordinator, pianist Jessica Koebbe, leads Midwest Chamber Ensemble's annual Valentine's Day performance of Romantic chamber music.
February 21, 2016 / 6:00 p.m.
Youth Concerto Competition: Final Round
Finalists in the 2015 MCE Youth Concerto Competition compete for the opportunity to play with the Midwest Chamber Ensemble Orchestra during the 2016-17 season. Concert is free and open to the public.
April 3, 2016 / 7:30 p.m.
Strauss and Kern
Associate conductor Ramiro Miranda takes the helm to lead Strauss's Suite for Winds and the premiere of Composer-in-Residence Joseph Kern's Concerto for Violin and Winds.
May 8, 2016 / 7:30 p.m. / Pre-Concert Talk at 6:45
Choral-Orchestral Spectacular
Kansas City choir Musica Vocale, under the direction of Arnold Epley, joins Midwest Chamber Ensemble for a performance of Brahms' Alto Rhapsody (Mackenzie Phillips, mezzo-soprano) and his songs for Women's Chorus, horns, and harp. Music Director Steve Lewis also conducts Schumann's "Rhenish" Symphony.
