9th Annual Summer Music Fest
June 7-14, 2025
Registration is currently closed and will reopen in 2025. Be sure to follow us on social media for updates!
The Poco a Poco Summer Music Fest is a premiere music festival dedicated to nurturing the talents of young musicians in the heart of Streator, Illinois. Held annually, the festival brings together students and professional musicians for a week of intensive music education, performance opportunities, and community engagement. Focusing on individual growth and collaborative learning, Poco a Poco offers a unique and enriching experience for aspiring young artists.
Young Artist Program
Applications open January 2025
The Young Artist Training Program is designed for incoming first-year high school students through newly-graduated seniors (as of June each year) who are passionate about advancing their musical skills. Participants receive personalized instruction from experienced faculty, engage in masterclasses, and perform in both solo and ensemble settings. This program emphasizes technical development and artistic expression and prepares students for future opportunities in music, whether they are considering collegiate music programs or professional careers. All young artists sing in the Poco a Poco Summer Music Fest Choir & Community Choir. Not required but available to our Young Artists: the Community Instrumental Ensemble & Friday night’s Jam Session.
Audition is required but it is not necessary that a student’s primary instrument be voice to enroll.
Jr. High Training Days
Registration opens March 1, 2025
Returning for a third year, the Jr. High Training Days offer an exciting introduction to the world of advanced music study for middle school students. Open to incoming 6th-graders and recently graduated 8th-graders (as of June of each year), this program focuses on building fundamental skills, fostering creativity, and igniting a passion for music through engaging workshops and ensemble activities. Participants gain valuable experience in a supportive environment, setting the stage for future musical success. NO AUDITION NECESSARY.
Students have the opportunity to work one-on-one and in small groups, exploring new ideas, fine-tuning skills, and gaining a better understanding for continued education, various careers in the music field, and a lifelong relationship with music and the arts. Additionally, Young Artists are involved in free and open-to-the-public concerts offered throughout the week.
The Poco a Poco music faculty are experts in their respective fields and represent a variety of states, music performance organizations, and educational positions. College students and young professionals serve as Junior Faculty, singing as section leaders in the Festival Choir while gaining performance, instructional, and work experience during the festival week.