The Gainesville Symphony Orchestra announced Friday in a news release that it is suspending operations due to financial problems.

In the release emailed Friday morning by the symphony's secretary, Vanessa Hyatt, the board of directors announced that the remainder of the 2011-2012 season would be put on hold.

Repeated calls to members of the symphony's board were unreturned Friday. Attempts to reach Hyatt also were unsuccessful.

"Despite the successful Patriotic Pops concert in July with guest conductor Lauren Green, the prolonged impact of the recession has negatively impacted the Orchestra; and as a result, it has not been able to generate enough corporate and community support & funding to continue operations in the short-term," the news release said.

"The Board will continue to work diligently during this hiatus to build and nurture the necessary support to fund the Orchestra's future operations. The decision to suspend operations was difficult given the 25 plus years the Orchestra has provided quality symphonic music for the benefit of the citizens of Gainesville, Hall County and beyond."

The release said the symphony plans to "restructure and re-emerge" in time for next year's July Fourth holiday concert.

A notice on the symphony's website says scheduled youth auditions have been canceled "due to lack of interest."