He was Northern Illinois University's nominee for the National CASE Professor of the Year award six times.
According to James P. Cassaro writing in the New Grove Dictionary of Music, "a predominant aspect of [Bach's] work is his charming and inexhaustible sense of humour."
Cassaro goes on to remark that "in all genres, Bach's works display both structural clarity and a subtle use of instrumental timbre."
Barry Kilpatrick in the American Record Guide (January–February 2007), p. 55-56 remarks that "[Bach] writes difficult music, to be sure.
His orchestral compositions include: Burgundy Variations, 1968; Sprint, 1982; Alla Breve, 1984; Escapade, 1984; Romeo and Juliet, 1984; and Estampie, 1988.