James Ployhar

James D. Ployhar (22 September 1926, Valley City, N.D. – 2 January 2007, Fargo, N.D.) was an American composer, music educator, and film producer.

Ployhar attended Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota, was initiated into the Beta Rho chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity in 1952, and also originated the Fargo Big Band All-Stars, a musical group that frequently performed in and around Fargo, North Dakota, including regular engagements at Silent Movie Night, held at the historic Fargo Theatre.

Mr. Ployhar taught nineteen years in the public schools and was enthusiastically welcomed throughout the United States and Canada as a clinician and a conductor.

He was considered to be one of the most prolific writers in the field of music education. He was responsible for many great American songs, including the instrumental piece, Cool Blues for Trumpets, March of the Irish Guard, Crazy Clock and Korean Folk Song Medley. He was the author of the Contemporary Band Course, Belwin-Mills Publishing Corporation of New York, composer of The Fickertail, official North Dakota march, and recipient of the citation of excellence by the executive committee of the National Band Association. Mr. Ployhar was past president of the VCSC Alumni Association (1975-76) and is a member of the V-500 Foundation.

On May 20, 1977, Mr. Ployhar was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award at Valley City State University. In 1994, he was one of the co-producers of the Disney film Iron Will.