SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra holds its final concert before closing up shop.

SSO management chose to suspend operations and layoff staff and musicians on April 3rd because of money problems. The symphony is more than five million dollars in debt and a fundraiser last month fell short of its goal. The group also failed to reach a 1.3 million dollar concession agreement with musicians.

Saturday night's free concert was held at SU's Setnor Auditorium as part of the symphony's partnership with the university, and drew a full house.

Jonathan Chai, of Syracuse, says the orchestra is one reason why he chose to stay here.

"I traveled all over the country and the world and I came back here to live here in large part because of Syracuse having this type of thing. I wanted my kids to grow up with this. I'll be devastated if we lose it," he says.

As part of last night's performance, SU's Concerto Competition Winner was the orchestra's pianist.