Throughout his career as a maths teacher, my friend John Roberts, who has died of lung disease aged 68, was an inspiration to pupils in his own subject, but just as keen a supporter of musical activities in school and the local community. A committee member of the Friends of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, he also edited its newsletter, the Nash, over the past seven years: nothing gave him greater pleasure than encouraging young people to make music.
John grew up and went to school in Ebbw Vale, south Wales, and studied mathematics at Brasenose College, Oxford. He could have pursued a career in the arts or sciences, and although he opted for maths, he was determined that this would not stand in the way of his playing the violin. He became leader of Oxford University's chamber orchestra – testimony to his eminence as a performer. In 1975 John was appointed head of mathematics at Ebbw Vale comprehensive school, where he taught until his retirement.
In the early 1970s John and the conductor David Gedge, then organist and choirmaster at Brecon Cathedral, founded the Gwent Chamber Orchestra, which John led from the outset. Among my most enduring memories are the performances of Bach's St Matthew Passion in which John's superb playing of the violin obbligato solo in the aria Erbarme Dich never failed to move me.
Above all, John loved playing in string quartets and, after retiring, this was a passion he was able to indulge to the full. His musicality and technical command, and the beauty of the tone he drew from his violin, were most impressive.
John was also skilled in the culinary arts and I enjoyed many an excellent dish of pasta, proudly prepared and presented by him. As a regular visitor to Italy over many years, he delighted in its art, language, food and wine, and perhaps one of the greatest joys for him was walking in the Apennines. His love of the natural world was never in doubt.
John is survived by his wife, Judy, and their daughter, Hannah.