Jan Bach

Jan Bach (born December 11, 1937, Forest Park, Illinois; died October 30, 2020, DeKalb, Illinois) was an American composer, author, and educator. He was known primarily for his choral, vocal, and wind ensemble works, often incorporating elements of humor and musical quotations.

Bach received his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in 1959 and his master's and doctoral degrees from the same institution in 1961 and 1963, respectively. His teachers included Robert Kelly and Bernard Goodman.

He served on the faculty of Northern Illinois University from 1966 until his retirement in 2004, where he taught composition, theory, and orchestration. He was a prolific composer, with a catalog including operas, concertos, chamber music, and works for solo instruments. Notable works include the opera "The Student from Salamanca," the cantata "The Happy Prince" (based on the story by Oscar Wilde), and numerous pieces for horn.

Bach was the author of several books, including textbooks on orchestration and counterpoint. He was also a sought-after clinician and guest conductor. His compositions have been performed by leading orchestras and ensembles throughout the world.