The name Mimir is taken from the god of wisdom in Norse mythology. And fittingly enough, before the last note faded of the fourth annual Mimir Chamber Music Festival, faculty leapt to their feet and in a flurry of excitement began sharing their expertise and passion for the Dvorak composition the students had just performed.

It was a fitting example of the energy and devotion of the nine professional musicians who gathered from around the world for the two-week festival. The festival, which continually receives rave reviews, brings together musical artists who teach during the day, then perform in the evening.

“Chamber music is the spoonful of sugar that makes a lot of practice and learning go down easier,” said Violin Prof. Curt Thompson, founder of the Mimir Festival. “When you play chamber music, you’re learning to be a soloist within an ensemble.”

The 18 students were chosen by audition from across the nation. The faculty included artists from the Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Corigiliano String Quartet and beyond as ensemble members. Artist-in-Residence Jose Feghali, Gold Medal winner of the 1985 Cliburn Competition, also performed, along with fellow faculty Thompson and Misha Galaganov, professor of viola.