James Ployhar is one of the most well-respected composers in the field of music education, having over 800 credited music publications. He is the author of the Contemporary Band Course, which is now an Alfred publication. The course has been translated into French and Norwegian, and is now in use throughout Norway.
Mr. Ployhar's extensive background in orchestration includes work with Knud Havalde of the Danish Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His music has aired on network television, and has been performed internationally in Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim nations.
In addition to over 19 years of public school teaching, Mr. Ployhar's career as an educator also covers numerous clinics and workshops at the college and university level. His academic credits include a BS from Valley City State University (ND), an MA from Northern Colorado University, and graduate study in composition under Morris Hutchings Ruger at California State University-Long Beach. His frequent appearances as a clinician/conductor have been enthusiastically welcomed throughout the United States, Canada, Norway, Germany, and England.
Mr. Ployhar is the recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence offered for outstanding contributions through bands and band music. He also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from his alma mater and has been a member of the American Bandmasters Association.
Composer and conductor James D. Ployhar died on January 2, 2007 in Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 80.
