26 year old Veronika Klirová to join City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is delighted to announce the appointment of Veronika Klírová as the Principal Second Flute. She replaces long-serving flautist Colin Lilley, who retired last summer after 42 years’ service.

A native of the Czech republic, 26 year old Veronika Klírová enjoyed the benefits of her country’s rich musical heritage as a student of the Conservatoire in Pilsen, and later at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno.

Veronika has played with the Pilsen Philharmonic, the Prague Symphony Orchestra, PKF – Prague Philharmonia, the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie and has studied with Robert Winn in Cologne, Germany,

Veronika says: “I am very excited about my move to Birmingham to join the CBSO, I’ve been to England many times but not to the city itself until I applied for the vacancy. I am most looking forward to being part of a world class orchestra and playing with my new colleagues.”

Veronika is already a fan of Musical Director Andris Nelsons, after playing with the CBSO plus soloists Anne-Sophie Mutter and Hélène Grimaud on the orchestra’s March tour. Such is the reputation of the CBSO internationally, that Veronika was one of almost 200 applicants for this position from all over the world.

CBSO Chief Executive Stephen Maddock says “Our talented players currently consist of 91 professionals of twelve nationalities from four continents. We are delighted that Veronika is joining us, thereby boosting our contingent of young international players. We are very much looking forward to welcoming her to Birmingham, where her first concert with us will be the Panufnik Centenary on Wednesday 24 September.”