In March of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States in full force, and essentially all in-person music activities came to a halt. Summer festival plans were cancelled for Addison Teng and his students, so out of necessity he quickly organized a 3-week online festival for July 2020 with the support of Chicago nonprofit Guarneri Hall. 

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With a successful first summer under their belts (and plenty of time for musicians during the pandemic to research the process), the moment was right to take the leap and start a nonprofit. The Fulton Music Society was incorporated in time for the first in-person Fulton Summer Music Academy in 2021. A tour to Hawai'i in November 2021 kicked off the Fulton in Residence touring program, and the professional Fulton Chamber Players launched in Spring 2022. 

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The name "Fulton" was inspired by the Fulton Market District in Chicago. A popular restaurant hub, Teng spent many pre-pandemic evenings with cofounders Amy Hess and Paul Hauer envisioning the nonprofit he might start someday.

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