Who is eligible to participate?

Incoming high school freshmen through graduated seniors (as of June) who excel in music and show a passion for the arts.

What are the training hours for my Young Artist?

M-F training begins at 1:00 PM.

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM is a “Choose your own adventure time” that is totally free and optional!

Training dates will include Saturday, June 8; Monday, June 10-Saturday, June 15.

Sat June 8: 1-5 PM

Mon, Wed, & Fri June 10, 12, 14: 1-5 PM

T Th June 11, 13: 1-8:30 PM (Dinners provided by Poco both nights)

Sat June 15: 1-5 PM

Where will training take place?

All of our training takes place at Park Church, directly across the street from the City Park. The exact address is below:

Park Church

201 S. Vermillion St.

Streator, IL 61364

** All of our events take place within a 1/2 mile radius in the center of Streator, Illinois.

How much is tuition for the festival, and when are payments due?

Tuition for the entirety of the Young Artist training program costs $300 per student. That includes 30+ hours of training, a festival t-shirt, and two group dinners. We ask for a $50 deposit by May 1st in order to secure your student’s spot, which will be subtracted from your final tuition cost. We accept tuition payments anytime after your student is accepted; tuition must be paid in full on or before the first day of training.

Is tuition assistance available?

Yes. On the applications, there is a place to indicate whether financial assistance would be needed in order for your student(s) to attend. We maintain this information in confidence. In order to supplement a child’s tuition fee, community foundations, school boosters, music funds, and private donations will be used. We try our best to provide as many resources as possible so that everyone accepted can attend, regardless of financial restrictions.

If you would like to have a private discussion about options for payment, please contact Executive Director Kate Tombaugh to set up a confidential call to discuss those options and needs.

Is there a way for others to participate?

YES! No performance is complete without an audience. We will have free and public concerts and events throughout the festival week in Streator, IL. A full schedule with details will be posted closer to the festival. Also, follow our Facebook page for updates and announcements.

Additionally, we encourage vocalists and string players (guitar, ukulele, bass, fiddle, harp, cello+) to join our community choir and community string ensemble. More information about each group can be found under the Get Involved tab of our website.

If you would like to volunteer during the festival, please contact us directly via email at info@pocoapoco.org

What will my Young Artist learn during the training program?

Our faculty includes senior and junior faculty and guest lecturers who will be coaching students in vocal and choral techniques, along with music theory and musicianship. Additionally, we have master classes, round-table discussions, and presentations covering other musical topics such as auditions, music education, conducting, movement, improvisation, and composition.

Why are there auditions for enrollment?

Auditions are a great way to present yourself and let us hear your voice and ask questions. Learning how to audition is a skill, and it takes practice to feel your most comfortable and confident. Every time you audition, it will feel easier and less intimidating. Therefore, having auditions is an integral part of our training at ‘Poco a Poco,’ and it will give our faculty an idea of your skills while determining how you might best fit into our program and how we can best help you achieve your goals.

Audition requirements can be found under the Sumer Music Fest tab of our website.