Al From, ASO Board Member
Al From spent most of his professional career in National Politics. Upon an invitation from friend Dick D’Amato, Al became involved in the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO) as a member of the Board of Trustees in 2007. As a previous resident of Bethesda, Al was a subscriber to the National Symphony Orchestra and shared his friend’s interest in music. He states, “I think the ASO is one of the best kept secrets inAnnapolis. It is a jewel, and too few Annapolitans know it exists. I love being involved in our local Annapolis community. I love the creative genius of Music Director José-Luis Novo. I’m continuously amazed at the imagination he brings to the Symphony programs. I’m not a music expert, but I appreciate creativity, innovation, and imagination.”
Al also appreciates the accessibility of the ASO musicians noting that Netanel Draiblate, ASO concertmaster, a native of Israel, came to his Passover Seder last year, brought his violin and gave guests a private concert.
Al’s vision is to see continued steady growth for the ASO and gain the recognition for the cultural jewel it is. In addition, Al hopes to see the ASO someday perform in a concert hall worthy of its quality.
Al, and his wife of 44 years, Ginger, reside near Thomas Point in Annapolis. They have two grown daughters and one grandchild. Growing up in South Bend, Indiana, he went to undergraduate and graduate school at Northwestern. For the last quarter of graduate school he moved to Washington, DC and has been in the Washington area ever since. He built his house in Annapolisin 1996 and moved here full time in 1998 and became the principle of his own consulting firm.
Al’s volunteerism does not end with the ASO. It is actually quite extensive and includes positions on the Board of Advisers of the Medill School at Northwestern University, the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Chamber Foundation, the National Advisory Board of The Roosevelt Institute Campus Network, the Board of Directors of the Institute for Behavior and Health, the Executive Board of the University of Maryland’s Center for American Politics and Citizenship, and the Advisory Board of the Annapolis Forum.
When asked his favorite musical performer Al responded, “As a kid, my favorite performer was Benny Goodman. However, my all time favorite is Ray Charles.”