GALION, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)— Cameron Fullen, a 17-year-old senior from Galion High School, has recently been selected as the sole tubist for both All-State Orchestra and Regional Orchestra.
This is Fullen’s third year being selected for All-State Orchestra, and this year she is also playing in the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra as their sole tubist.
Fullen’s band teacher, Theresa O’Deens, says that the selection process for ensembles such as All-State Orchestra and Regional Orchestra is competitive.
“They’re incredibly competitive. I know when Cameron made it for the first time a few years ago, it was a really big deal because she was one of the first students from our area to make it into the group in a really long time,” says O’Deens.
She says that she was not surprised that Fullen was selected.
“I did have strong feelings that she was probably going to get in again. The whole time I’ve known her, she’s been incredibly gifted, and she really does put a lot of work into it. I would have been very surprised if she hadn’t gotten in,” said O’Deens.
Fullen says that she was surprised when she found out she was selected for both All-State Orchestra and Regional Orchestra because she tends to be very critical of herself when it comes to her music.
She says that she is not only grateful to have been chosen but is very excited to have been selected as the sole tubist for both orchestras.
“Although tuba players do not always get solos, being the only tuba player means everything I play is a solo. That is a great honor, and I’m ecstatic to have this amazing opportunity,” says Fullen.
Fullen says the most rewarding part of her music journey has been seeing how many people she has influenced, something that O’Deens couldn’t agree more with.
“She doesn’t use her talents as a justification for an ego, and instead she uses the gift that she knows that she has to help her classmates and the people around her,” says O’Deens.
In the future, Fullen hopes to become a professional tuba player with a bachelor’s degree in music performance. She says she would also like to audition for the Cleveland Orchestra and hopefully be the sole tubist.
“In my future with music, I hope to accomplish happiness and self-fulfillment. I also hope that I continue to help and positively influence those around me. Music is and always will be my life, and I hope to prove that,” said Fullen.