Arthur Willard Pryor (September 22, 1870 – June 18, 1942) was a trombone virtuoso, bandleader and soloist with the Sousa Band. He was a prolific composer of band music, his best-known composition being The Whistler and His Dog. During his 12 years with the Sousa Band it is estimated that he played over 10,000 solos.

Pryor was born on the second floor of the Lyceum Theater in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He was the son of Samuel Pryor who was a bandmaster and the founder of the original Pryor band.

In 1902 after the death of his father, Pryor, reorganized the Pryor Band. For 30 years after that Pryor’s Band was an American institution. Pryor composed some 300 compositions, including marches, novelties, tone poems and three light operas.

Arthur Pryor retired from full time conducting in 1933 and became a Democrat Party politician from New Jersey and served on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders during the 1930’s.