Elton B. Stephens
1911 - 2005
2020 Inductee

Born in Barbour County, Alabama in 1911, Elton B. Stephens was instrumental in the rebirth of the
Alabama Symphony Orchestra. In 1995, he was approached by board members and asked to help re-
establish the bankrupt ASO. Driven by his love of a challenge and his passion for classical music,
Stephens and his wife, Alys, stepped up to help the orchestra.

In January of 1995, he initiated a $15 million campaign to restore the ASO to the stages and schools of the Greater Birmingham Area. Two years later, the orchestra performed its first concert in the Alys
Stephens Performing Arts Center. Stephens’ leadership encouraged other generous donors in the
community to assist ASO.

Stephens died in February of 2005, but his memory lives on in the hearts of classical music musicians and fans. Today, the ASO benefits from an endowment fund of more than $12 million.