Section Heger, Jiri Jiri Heger was Principal Violist of SSO for more than 20 years. Born in Czechoslovakia, he graduated from the Conservatory of Music and Academy of Musical Arts of Prague and subsequently accepted the position of Principal Violist with Teheran Symphony Orchestra before coming to Singapore in Jan 1980. Being an active performing artiste, he is no stranger to the local music scene. He has premiered music composed for him by Prof Bernard Tan and Lim Chin Tiong, and has partnered pianists Dennis Lee, Koh Joo Ann, Chan Soo Ping, Rena Phua, Benjamin Loh and Ong Lip Tat. He is also instrumental in nurturing many young Singaporean musicians; many of his students won top prizes in the National Music Competitions in violin and viola, and some are now colleagues in the SSO. Since the fall of communism in his homeland in 1989, Jiri has been regularly invited to perform with various Czech orchestras as soloist. He has played numerous recitals with some of the best Czech pianists, and appeared frequently on Czech TV and Radio. To date he has released two solo recordings, all to the highest critical acclaim. Other than music, he is most passionate about scuba diving and his cats. Every year, he goes diving in the regional waters during the orchestral breaks, while his kind neighbours take care of his cats, Ginger and Daisy. Back to musician list