Receiving the Gift of Life - County Line Magazine

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J. Wayne Baughman has been a presence in the Atlanta music community for almost 40 years. Currently, he is director of the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra (JCSO) and music director for St. Benedict Catholic Church. Wayne’s talent and passion for music has fueled his lifetime of success as a professional vocalist, orchestra conductor and choral director. Wayne began his life in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where he had a typical childhood as the younger of two boys in a middle class family. His passion for music was something that came gradually into his life. His mother forced him to sing in the children’s choir at church because his cousin was the choir director. While in junior high school, Wayne started to enjoy his involvement in singing, and his interest in conducting developed when he was in high school. Wayne went on to attend the University of Alabama where he received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Music Education. During his sophomore year, he began his church work as a choir director and has devotedly worked with church music for nearly 50 years. While in college, Wayne met Lynn, a Violin major. “She practiced a lot, and I started practicing more because she was in the practice room,” Wayne said. “Finally, I asked her out, but she only agreed to go out after the practice room closed.” Their first date was in a drugstore eatery at 10:30pm, after the rehearsal room doors were locked. They were married in 1969. Maestro OF JOHNS CREEK by Cindy Lombardo The couple moved to Michigan where, for the next two years, Wayne continued advanced Master and Doctoral studies in Choral and Orchestral Conducting at the University of Michigan. He taught vocal lessons, conducted a repertory orchestra, and continued working with church music. Wayne spent a week as a soloist for a summer performance with Robert Shaw at Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. He approached Shaw after a rehearsal and asked for an opportunity to work with him in Atlanta. That same year, in 1974, Wayne and Lynn moved to Atlanta where Wayne joined the Robert Shaw music family. For the next 25 years, Wayne sang in the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Chamber Chorus. Performing around the world, he remained the most popular male classical bass-baritone soloist for over 15 years. “I occasionally had conducting opportunities at rehearsal when Robert Shaw was out of town. I also was music director for Peachtree Christian Church for nine years. It was an artistic and spiritual environment. I had great growth during that period,” Wayne said. 20 CountyLine | August 2013 | www.CountyLineMagazine.net
In December 1997, while Wayne was conducting a Messiah performance, he had his first vision of a professional symphony for Johns Creek. He was working as music director for Johns Creek United Methodist Church and was aware of the dynamic quality of life in the growing community. He asked Lynn, who had become a respected violin teacher, for her support in seeing his dream come to fruition. Over the next six years, Wayne researched orchestra websites and demographics of communities similar to Johns Creek. In April 2007, the same month the JCSO became incorporated, Lynn passed away in Venice, Italy where Wayne was on tour with St. Benedict’s choir. Wayne said of their marriage, “It was a thirty-seven and a half year fantastic adventure together.” Lynn’s September 2007 memorial service was the first performance by the new Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. Wayne and Lynn had four children, two boys and two girls. Both daughters pursued careers in music. Adelaide is a concert master violinist with the JCSO, and Katie, a doctoral student of Vocal Performance, is JSCO’s personnel manager. JCSO is the only fully professional, part-time symphony orchestra in metro Atlanta. “We have a good solid business plan and work within budget. My goal is to bring the world’s greatest symphonic music to the people of Johns Creek,” Wayne said. Reflecting on his life in music, Wayne said, “I highly prize two material possessions. One is a handwritten note from Robert Shaw. The second is a Grammy certificate for 1990 Best Choral Performance with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.” Though both are commendations for his vocal talents, Wayne said, “I always enjoyed conducting more than singing. Now, I spend 95% of my time conducting and 5% singing. I don’t have a self-absorbed artist’s personality, but I am a benevolent dictator in matters of conducting.” His current dream is for a performance venue that will someday house the arts for Johns Creek and provide at least a thousand seat concert hall for the JCSO. Orchestra members call him Maestro. The Italian word means teacher. For Wayne, it is a term of respect and endearment, a term he has earned over his lifetime of dedication to music. JCSO will begin its 7 th season in October with Maestro Baughman sharing his vocal talents, performing a collection of his favorite songs. 21 CountyLine |August 2013
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