Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra

The Corpus Christi Symphony Society was chartered in 1945 by Rabbi Sidney Wolf. During tenure at Temple Beth El, Rabbi Wolf became known for his interfaith work and, in the era of Jim Crow segregation, for his support of integration of public facilities. On December 10, 1945, C. Burdette Wolfe, the Corpus Christi Junior College (Del Mar) Music Department Chairman, raised the baton as the conductor for the first performance of the symphony orchestra. 800 patrons braved the 36 degree South Texas weather to experience the inaugural concert in the auditorium of Corpus Christi High School (Miller). There were a total of four concerts in that first season.