Fuller was chosen after a search that began with auditions held in May of 2005. Five candidates were selected as finalists (including acting concertmaster Eric Halen); during the 2005-06 season, each filled the concertmaster role for a classical subscription concert weekend, with music director Hans Graf on the podium. The final selection of Fuller was made unanimously by Graf and a committee of seven Houston Symphony musicians.

Fuller has been a member of the Minnesota Orchestra's first violin section since 1999. The 29-year-old Seattle native has a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota; she also did graduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music with William Preucil.

"Angela is a very fine musician and will be a great addition to our orchestra," said Graf. "I welcome her as our new concertmaster and look forward to working closely with her in the future."

Fuller said, "I am absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to become part of the Houston Symphony, one of America's great orchestras ... I will do everything I can to contribute to the artistry of the orchestra and to the Houston Symphony's important role in the community."

Fuller was the 2000 first prize winner of the Irving M. Klein International String Competition; in 1998 she won the Minnesota Orchestra Volunteer Association's Young Artist Competition. She has performed at the music festivals of Tanglewood, Aspen and Chautauqua and San Diego's Mainly Mozart Festival.