The Mobile Symphony and The Junior League of Mobile hosted an Instrument Petting Zoo at the Saenger Theatre prior to the Holiday Pops Sneak Preview Open Dress Rehearsal Matinee. 

 Kids of all ages tried their luck playing orchestral instruments with a little help from members of the Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The Mobile Arts Council has selected Mobile Symphony Board Chair, Celia Mann Baehr, as the recipient of the 2006 Greater Mobile Area Arts Award as volunteer of the year.  Other recipients of this year's award include Dr. Sue Walker, Artist; Chesser Gallery, Business; Dr. Joseph Mitchell, Educator; WHIL, Organization; Palmer Bedsole, Patron.

This year's awards where presented Friday, September 8 in Cathedral Square.  The Mobile Arts Council hosted a reception which following the presentation in its offices at 318 Dauphin Street.

left to right: Celia Mann Baehr, MSO Board Chair, James Fail, Elsie Crain Holmes, MSO Board Member.

Mobile Symphony received its largest gift in its history to endow the Orchestra's principal cello chair in memory of Emily (Patsy) Stone Fail. Philanthropist James Fail has made a commitment of $200,000 to lead the symphony's endowment drive campaign. Fail spent his childhood in Mobile and went to Murphy High School. He started on the violin when he was six, added the trombone to his repertoire, and was a member of the musicians' union in 1943 playing with such artists as Woody Herman and the Swingles.

"I can't imagine living somewhere that didn't have a strong arts presence," said Fail. "An endowment is important to have. When I was a board member of the Phoenix Symphony, the endowment helped get us through some rough economic times in the city. I hope my gift will encourage others to endow chairs for Mobile Symphony. It is important for the symphony's future."