“Smith and the DCO have done well by Beethoven, and they brought
passion aplenty...” (12/04/07)

“Stephen Michael Smith, music director and conductor ...nearly brought
the house down ...” (5/11/07)

“Smith brought to life a performance to be proud of.” (11/12/04)

The ... movement is full of tricky rhythms, quick entrances, and just about anything to cause concern for any orchestra's conductor. Here Smith
showed that...he knows how to make an orchestra roll with the
punches. (11/12/04)

“Bravo and shouts ensued for both conductor Smith and the orchestra...” (5/2/04)

“What Stephen Michael Smith did was raise the performance level another notch. Clearly he gained the trust and confidence of the players to do
this. The cheering audience at the end of the performance knew they
had experienced something special.”  (5/8/03)

“All that is needed is varied and challenging music - and the right
conductor. And guest conductor Stephen Michael Smith certainly seems
to have been that person for the ensemble of 70 musicians.” (5/8/03)