Dr. John Bauer, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, received the Bachelor of Music and the Master of Music degrees from Yale University and the Doctor of Music Degree from the Florida State University. He also attended Indiana University, studied privately with Reinhold Barchet in Stuttgart, Germany, and with Peter Meremblum in Hollywood, California.

Following a tour as Concertmaster for the Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra, Dr. Bauer served asAssistant Concertmaster for the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra, violinist with the Mantovani orchestra, and assistant professor at Wesleyan College, Macon, Georgia. Dr. Bauer was co-founder of the South Carolina Philharmonic, started the Columbia Youth Orchestras, and was the first director of the USC String Project. Dr. Bauer served as Concertmaster of the South Carolina Philharmonic for its first 17 years, Associate-Conductor for eight years, and Interim Music Director on two separate occasions. He played concertos with many orchestras and appeared as a soloist in the United States and in Europe. Dr. Bauer wrote three books, published by Mel Bay: Progressive Scale Studies for Violin, Progressive Scale Studies for Viola, and Progressive Scale Studies for Cello.

John Bauer came to the University of South Carolina in 1962. He was named the''1986 Professional of the Year in the Arts" by the United States Youth Games; "Gamecock Faculty All-Star'', chosen by USC Varsity athletes; and was cited by President George IL W. Bush in his Points of Light, for his "... record of concern for those in need...". He served as Coordinator of Strings, coached the Graduate String Quartets, taught literature and theory courses, and applied violin and viola. He was President of the Orchestra Division of the South Carolina Music Educators Association, and Vice President and on the Board of Directors for the Violin Society of America.

Dr. John Bauer retired from the University of South Carolina in 1998.