My friend Dominic Hopkins, who has died suddenly aged 57, was a dedicated, popular and inspirational violinist who played for many years with the Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra and was its leader from 2008 to 2016.
He also played with Academy of St Thomas, Norwich Baroque, Claxton Opera and Norwich Pops Orchestra, soloing with the latter in Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending, in Norwich Cathedral in 2012. He had fond memories of playing above the waves in Cromer’s end of the pier Pavilion theatre, accompanying Cromer and Sheringham Operatic and Dramatic Society shows, including their 2014 centenary production of Oliver!.
Born in Norwich to Pam (nee Balding), a teacher, and Eric Hopkins, a teacher and educational psychologist, Dom began playing violin aged eight or nine, often waking early to practise. He led the Hewett school orchestra and sang with the school choir on summer visits to Vienna. He also busked with friends, playing money-spinning popular classics.
Going on to lead Norwich Students Orchestra and Norfolk County Youth Orchestra, Dom attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. However he left after a year because of performance anxieties.
As a mature student, aged 27, he studied mathematics at the University of East Anglia, earning a first. He then began doing offshore surveying work, surveying the beds of the North and Black Sea for the oil industry and, from a light aircraft, surveying for diamonds in Botswana.
Throughout a full life he appeared indomitable, making light of the Marfan syndrome mainly affecting his circulation, which led to more than 20 operations. Later, he experienced epileptic seizures. At one point while doing his surveying work Dom had to be airlifted from ship to hospital for an operation and was eventually invalided out in 2004 – he was offered an office role but declined. He then studied for a master’s in mathematical physics at King’s College London.
As well as his performing and scientific career Dom taught physics to adults at City College, Norwich, and taught musical youngsters for Sistema in the city.
Dom loved camping holidays and for more than 30 years was a regular participant at Music Camp, near High Wycombe, performing challenging repertoire with fellow musicians from far afield.
I first met Dominic in his busking days, when Mozart, Pachelbel and Vivaldi filled the air, and our paths would often cross in concert hall or swimming pool. Dominic swam regularly for therapy and pleasure but, following a medical emergency while swimming, was taken to hospital, where he died the next day.
He is survived by his older brothers, Tim and Chris.
