Founded in 1955, the GSP remains dedicated to maintaining and operating a professional symphony orchestra at the Jersey Shore; to giving concerts of cultural and educational value in and for the community; and to fostering such related activities that will encourage interest in and appreciation of classical and classically-inspired music. The core values of the GSP center around performance, education, and accessibility: to preserve classical music through public presentation, to promote arts education by introducing the children of our community to the wonders of orchestral and choral music, to make such music accessible to all residents, and to contribute vital energy to regional economic development and cultural tourism.
What began as an amateur community orchestra is now a respected professional orchestra, a community chorus, a three-tiered youth orchestra, a youth chorus and a regional educational and cultural resource. The orchestra has presented subscription concerts for more than 60 years with such illustrious guest artists as Schlomo Mintz, Joseph Carter Brey, and Colin Carr.