The Best American Short Plays 2010-2011 edited by William W. Demastes. Best American Short Plays. Hardcover. 320 pages. Published by Applause Books (HL.314931). ISBN 1557838356. 5.5x8.5 inches. Applause is proud to continue the series that for over 70 years has been the standard of excellence for one-act plays in America. As previous series editor Ramon Delgado wrote in his introduction to The Best American Short Plays of 1989, the choice of entries for each edition has been based on the same goal: “to include a balance among three categories of playwrights: 1) established playwrights who continue to practice the art and craft of the short play, 2) emerging playwrights whose record of productions indicate both initial achievement and continuing artistic productivity, and 3) talented new playwrights whose work may not have had much exposure but evidences promise for the future.” From its inception, The Best American Short Plays has identified new, cutting-edge playwrights who have gone on to establish award-winning careers, including Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, Wendy Wasserstein, David Mamet, and Horton Foote. This volume, Bill Demastes' first edition as series editor, illustrates how well the short story play can grapple with the many dimensions of love. The selected plays present unique perspectives on the wide range of love's impact on our lives, each giving a thoroughly modern twist to the idea that life would be so much easier (but also much less interesting) if we could only avoid love's mercurial influence.

The American Patrol by Jim Weisheit. For little big band (Alto sax, Tenor sax, Baritone sax, 2 Trumpets, 1 Trombone, Piano, Bass, Guitar, Drums). Medium difficult. Score and set of parts. Published by Walrus Music Publishing (WA.60257). Swinging arrangement of the classic tune recorded by Glen Miller. Open section for all to solo. Tpt. 1 to G. Scored A/T/B/2Tpt/1Bone/P/B/G/D. Complete transposed score.

American Jubilee by C. Booker. For concert band. Medium. Score and parts. Published by Wingert-Jones Publications (WJ.3015641).

Portrait of the American West by Jerry Nowak. For concert band. Medley/Folk. Grade 3. Score and parts. Published by Northeastern Music Publications (NS.300124).

2011 Texas Music Educators Association: American Boychoir by American Boychoir. By Various. For choir. Mark Records. Audio CD/DVD bundle. Published by Mark Custom Music (MK.9282-MB). About Listening CDs Listening CDs are traditional music recordings. Listening CDs make a great educational supplement - hear exceptional professionals play the music you're learning! Or, just enjoy listening to the music you love.

2011 Texas Music Educators Association: American Boychoir by American Boychoir. By Various. For choir. Mark Records. DVD. Published by Mark Custom Music (MK.9282-MDVD).

American Patriot Salute by Larry Neeck. Concert band. Young Band. Rising Band Series for Developing Bands!. Audio recording available separately (item CL.WFR374). Grade 1.5. Score and set of parts. Composed 2011. Duration 2 minutes, 18 seconds. Published by C.L. Barnhouse (CL.024-4021-00). From the opening fanfare, "American Patriot Salute" is an emotionally powerful, but easily playable, patriotic overture for your young musicians. In this skillful arrangement of "America" and "Yankee Doodle, " bold statements contrast with flowing melodic lines, providing a rich musical experience for your band. Dedicated to the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, "American Patriot Salute" provides a fitting patriotic tribute for your next concert.

American Rondo (from the Quartet in F, Op. 96) by Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904). Arranged by Douglas Stroud. For string orchestra. StringMasters. Grade 5. Score and set of parts. Published by Masters Music Publications Inc. (MT.M8038-SET). Adapted from one of the composer's string quartets (known as the "American"), this high-spirited piece suggests the style of American folk music.

An American Ballad by Traditional. Arranged by Clarence E. Barber. For string orchestra. Developing Strings. Grade 2. Score and set of parts. Published by LudwigMasters Publications (LG.50250015). American folk songs are a rich source of material for musicians both young and old. Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree receives a sensitive ballad treatment that will ensure your group develops better pitch control and tone quality. A remarkable piece.

Scherzo by Stephen Foster (1826-1864). For alto saxophone, bass clarinet and piano. Chamber. Very difficult. Score and parts. Published by Brass Wind Publications (B5.RP001). ISBN M570278435. The trio is in one single movement, although four distinct sections are evident. These sections look at the nature of musical sharing, approached in four different ways. n the first section, the three instruments are in conflict with each other: they each have their own distinct musical ideas and character, which are presented seemingly without regard to the others. In the slower second section from bar 36, the instruments tentatively begin to explore each other's ideas and the argumentative mood is replaced by a lyrical calm. In the third section from bar 61, all three sets of musical material are fragmented and remixed, with all instruments exploring them more equally in a more skittish mood. Finally from bar 89 and still using a combination of all the ideas, the alto saxophone and clarinet join in a playful, energetic and equally alanced duet with the piano providing a highly rhythmic accompaniment Scherzo is the winning piece in the first Reedplay composition competition 2010 and was first performed by Reed Play in their inaugral concert at the Purcell Room on London's Southbank in February 2010.