John Zdechlik is a natvice of Minneapolis, Minn. He was born in 1937 and studied piano during his early years. While in high school, he became interested in jazz and soon began writing arrangements for local jazz bands. During these years, he began studying trumpet and soon was busy as a professional performer and writer in the Twin Cities area. This background led him to a career in music. In 1970 he received a Ph. D. in Theory and Composition from the University of Minnesota. Since that time he was had numerous works commissioned and published. His music is frequently performed by high school and college group throughout the world. He currently teaches at Lakewood Community College, White Bear Lake, Minn.

Year of Composition: 1980

Publisher: Kjos Music

Grade: 4

Type of composition: Ternary form

Style: lyric motive in A part. B is rhythmic and angular with antiphonal effects. A’ is in a varied form and builds to climax at end.

Programming suggestions: “Romance for Band” was commissioned by the Minnesota Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association for the Twenty-Seventh Annual National Convention held in Minneapolis on August 1, 1979. The work was first performed at the final session of this convention by the Minnesota ASBDA All-Star High School Band with Col. Arnald Gabriel conducting.

Solos: oboe, clarinet, baritone, flute, timpani, horn

Anecdotal notes: Tempi range from 54-84 in A sections and 144 at B section. Long sustained notes in the quarter is 54 sections. Has a great deal for accelerandos and retards. Sonority and tempi and important aspects of the piece. The pulse should be ebb and flow freely, thus creating a sense of rubato much of the time. Piece can be played without oboe because cues are given in flute and sax parts. Baritone solo cannot be substituted without rewriting parts. Horns are required to read bass and treble clef. Several measures start a p crescendo to f and decrescendo to p in the time of 4 beats. Bell and chime parts are doubled in wind instruments. Doubling occurs in most instrument families.

Discography: Contact Kjos