In the symphony of life, J. Wayne Baughman played many roles — conductor, music director, singer, teacher, community activist, counselor, father, friend. On November 9, at the age of 77, he found his peaceful finale after a brief yet courageous encounter with pancreatic cancer. Those who knew him remember not only his exceptional musical brilliance but also the warmth of his gentle and loving nature. He left an indelible mark on hearts and melodies alike.
Maestro Baughman studied choral and orchestral conducting, earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education from the University of Alabama, as well as advanced studies in conducting at the University of Michigan. Although having been advised to follow the path of conducting, he decided that he wanted to pursue singing. Upon his arrival in Atlanta in 1974, Baughman became a member of Robert Shaw’s Festival Singers and Chamber Singers in addition to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
For the next 25 years, he was a frequent vocal soloist, chorus member and rehearsal conductor under the guidance of the late Robert Shaw. Well-known for his oratorio performances as bass soloist, earning the nickname “Mr. Oratorio,” he collaborated with Shaw on numerous performance projects, including Mozart’s Requiem Mass, J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion and Handel’s Messiah.
In 1990, as bass soloist, Baughman shared the honor of a Grammy Award for the Telarc recording of Belshazzar’s Feast (Walton) and Chichester Psalms (Bernstein) with Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He also sang as a soloist or as part of the chorus on over 40 of Shaw’s classical and choral albums that are widely available to stream. Other ensembles he has sung with include The Michael O’Neal Singers and the DeKalb Choral Guild.
For a remarkable span of two decades, Baughman held the distinction of being the sole individual to perform the national anthem at the annual Peachtree Road Race, the only person to have sung the anthem there more than once.
Baughman held conducting positions at the State University of New York at Cortland and Brevard Music Center. He also served as music director at Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta for nine years, where his performances of major choral-orchestral works received critical acclaim. He got to know the Johns Creek musical community through serving as music director at Johns Creek United Methodist Church and St. Benedict Catholic Church for over 25 years.
In 1997, Baughman’s vision for a professional symphony in Johns Creek took root while he was leading a rendition of Handel’s Messiah at Johns Creek United Methodist Church. In the midst of a chorus performance, a thought struck him: “Hey, we could have a professional orchestra here.” And so they did.
Fast forward a decade, and the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra became a reality, proudly standing as the only fully professional symphony in north metro Atlanta. Remarkably, around 70% of the current members have been part of this musical journey since its beginning. This 2023-24 orchestral season was to be Baughman’s standing ovation. In September, he was able to enjoy a livestream of the opening concert in Newtown Park with about 1,700 in attendance.
For nearly a decade, Baughman has been leading an effort to establish a permanent home for the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra in Johns Creek. He built coalitions including the varied interests and cultural groups that make up the diverse fabric of Johns Creek, served as president of the Cultural Arts Alliance at Johns Creek and chaired the Legacy Center at Johns Creek Task Force.
The Legacy Center would include the Johns Creek Arts Center, a performance hall and a multi-use space. While land has not been purchased for the project, the City Council agreed to the buy-in last December after seven years of planning by the Legacy Center Task Force.
On October 3, the City of Johns Creek awarded Baughman a city commendation to a standing ovation from dozens of supporters for his work as the founder of the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra and his significant community impact.
Although Maestro Baughman had a brilliant and fulfilling lifelong musical career, his greatest joy was undeniably his family, where he was affectionately known as “Pop.” In the ’70s and ’80s, while raising his own family, he embodied the rare and dedicated dad who embraced every aspect of domestic life — from cooking, cleaning and coaching to nurturing his children, all with grace and humor.
He and his wife, Lynn Marie Hosty Baughman (1947-2007), a renowned Suzuki violin teacher who introduced the Suzuki method to the state of Georgia, were widely regarded for their loving kindness and generosity to all who knew them. His commitment extended beyond the routine; he reveled in spending quality time with each of his children and grandchildren. Together, they embarked on memorable travels, celebrated holidays and crafted a treasure trove of shared experiences that would forever define the essence of family for “Pop.”
During his last months, Baughman found joy in the comforting presence of family and welcomed many visits from the community. The exceptional care provided during his final weeks by Gentiva Hospice nurse Erin and health aide Shawn was both remarkable and deeply compassionate.
Wayne and Lynn Baughman are survived by their four children and 12 grandchildren: Adelaide (husband Nathan Federici, children Nora and Gabriel); Jamie (wife Lien, children Gabriella, Liam, Eve, Sebastian, Aidan, Lily and Cecily); Tim (wife Beth, children Henry and Piper); and Katie (husband Mike Edelman, child Emma). Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, James Monroe Baughman and Ludie Elizabeth Bonner Baughman, and brother, James Stewart Baughman.
Wayne and Lynn Baughman were laid to rest together on November 17, at Honey Creek Woodlands at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. There will be a public memorial service to honor Maestro Baughman’s life; details will be announced by the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Maestro Baughman’s honor may be sent to the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra or to the Cultural Arts Alliance at Johns Creek to help build the Legacy Center of Johns Creek.
