 The present San Antonio Symphony, an organization independent of the aforementioned predecessors, was created in 1939 by Max Reiter, a German-Italian immigrant, who became its first Music Director.The group's early ambition is evidenced by the fact that the legendary violinist Jascha Heifetz was a guest artist during the first season.By 1943, the orchestra employed 75 professional musicians, and in the 1944–1945 season the organization's budget topped $100,000, making it one of only 19 "major" orchestras in the country at that time, and the only one in Texas.