History
Being a professional violinist (when Mrs. Bull moved to Crossville in 1993) Mrs. Bull approached her principal at Crossville Elementary (Mauree Hodges) for permission to do an experimental string class during her planning time. Having no class room, no books, and no instruments, and a total of about 600 regular music students, Mrs. Bull knew this would be a challenge. Mrs. Bull selected five students to participate in the 'experimental' string class. The class went VERY well. the following year more students were added and Mrs. Bull realized that the stuendts needed a Performance venue. The group City Strollers was formed with the original five violinists. Foreseeing a need for an orchestra for these budding young musician, Mrs. Bull started classes in viola, Cello, and basses and began squeezing string classes into every possible space in her schedule. In 1997 the Children Of Crossville Chamber Orchestra (C.O.C.C.O.) was formed with 18 string students. That December the orchastra was invited to perform at the Governor's mansion in Nashville, Tennessee for Governor Sundquist. Since then, C.O.C.C.O has won many trophies and awards at both the local, state and national level. In 1998 another string teacher, Mrs. Jeanie Kinslow came to Crossville and did her student teaching under Mrs. Bull. Mrs Kinslow has since assisted Mrs. Bull and has helped the orchestra to grow. The growth has culminated in the formation of not one orchestra but two: the Children Of Crossville Chamber Orcheastra and the Children Of Crossville Preparatory Orchestra (C.O.C.P.O.). C.O.C.C.O. has 31+ members and C.O.C.P.O. has 27 members. This is a total of 58 string students. Mrs. Bull envisions that some day in the very near future Crossville will able to boast a 75+ string ensemble.