Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra Debuts Sensory-Friendly Concert

JOHNS CREEK, GA — The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra and Emory Johns Creek Hospital are presenting the symphony’s first sensory-friendly concert to kick off the holiday season on Nov. 30 at 11 a.m. The concert will take place at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 3 to 17. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.johnscreeksymphony.org, by phone at 678-748-5802 or at the door.

CBS 46’s Karyn Greer will emcee this concert, which will feature favorite holiday songs, dancers from North Atlanta Dance Theatre, sing-alongs, and more, in a casual atmosphere. The concert is on the weekend following Thanksgiving and is perfect for those looking to entertain out-of-town guests with a family-friendly activity. While the event is sensory-friendly, it is also appropriate for anyone interested in live holiday music performed in a laid back environment.

“We have consulted with special needs professionals, as well as orchestras across the country that regularly perform sensory-friendly concerts, in order to create a more inviting atmosphere for all,” said Linda Brill, Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra Executive Director. “We’d like this to be a boundary-breaking experience where people can come and enjoy live holiday music in a casual, non-judgmental space,” she continued.

To prepare families for the concert, the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra will provide pre-visit storyboards that let families know what will happen before, during and after the performance. There will also be a quiet space for audience members to retreat from the crowd, areas to walk around or dance freely, and families are welcome to bring headphones, earplugs or anything to make the performance easier for them. In addition to playing a role in the concert, Santa will make an appearance and will be available following the show for a casual meet-and-greet.

The concert will be conducted by Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor J. Wayne Baughman. 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.

Upon his arrival in Atlanta in 1974, Maestro Baughman immediately became involved with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Choruses, and for 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, he collaborated with Maestro Shaw on numerous performance projects, including the Mozart 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 Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Baughman has held numerous academic and church music conducting positions in a career spanning more than 50 years. In addition to his work with the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra he serves as Vice-President of the Cultural Arts Alliance at Johns Creek and chairs the Johns Creek Legacy Center Task Force.