James Ployhar

James D. Ployhar (September 22, 1926–January 2, 2007) was an American composer, music educator, and film producer. He was responsible for many pieces of music well known to American student band performers, including "Cool Blues for Trumpets", "March of the Irish Guard", "Crazy Clock" and "Korean Folk Song Medley".

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.

Ployhar was considered to be one of the most prolific writers in the field of music education. He 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 the author of the Contemporary Band Course, Belwin-Mills Publishing Corporation of New York, composer of The Flickertail, official North Dakota march and recipient of the citation of excellence by the executive committee of the National Band Association. Ployhar was past-president of the VCSC Alumni Association (1975–76) and is a member of the V-500 Foundation.

On May 20, 1977, Ployhar was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award at Valley City State University.

In 1994, Ployhar was one of the co-producers of the Disney film Iron Will.

Jim Ployhar died Tuesday, January 2, 2007 in Fargo, North Dakota.