CONCERT GROUP MUSIC TO EARS.

Byline: BETTIE RENCORET Senior columnist

LANCASTER -- Antelope Valley's classical music aficionados felt culturally deprived until they got together and formed an Antelope Valley chapter of the Community Concerts Association back in 1947.

Today they are celebrating their 59th year of bringing top entertainment to the area.

``We offer more than just classical entertainment now,'' said Ron Ferrell, this year's president. ``We've become a little more eclectic in our choices so that we can satisfy more diverse tastes, but still maintain our original objective for quality.''

The concerts -- to which admission is by membership card -- include organist Aram Basmadjian on Oct. 23, The Four Freshmen on Nov. 21, pianist Scott Pratt on Feb. 20, and xylophonist David Meyer on April 17.

All of the concerts will be at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center (LPAC).

That's a far cry from the early days when patrons sat on folding chairs in the Antelope Valley College cafetorium to hear piano duo Ferrante and Teicher in their first Antelope Valley appearance.

Ferrante and Teicher came again later, this time to the LPAC stage, and could not say enough about the wonderful theater and its acoustics.

Membership costs $45 for adults and $20 for ages 18 and younger. Information is available by calling [phone], [phone] or [phone].

Membership cards will be mailed out in September, she said.

``One of the beauties of membership in the association,'' said member Joan Greene, ``is that our cards can be used to attend community concerts in many other areas. That gives us even more variety. Reciprocation is an added perk. Where else can you get such an entertainment package for the price?''

Association board members get nostalgic as they praise pioneer organizers and patrons who decried the necessity of going to other areas to hear good music.

``Most of us here today didn't get a chance to know the ones that are gone but we can appreciate what they did for us. We also want to say thank you to those who are still around,'' said Ferrell.

Menus for the week at the senior life nutrition sites in Lancaster and Palmdale have been announced. All meals include bread, margarine and coffee, tea or milk, for a suggested donation of $2.

Monday: Beef stroganoff w/noodles, peas and carrots, tossed salad, ice cream.

Tuesday: Beef enchilada, Spanish rice, green beans, coleslaw, applesauce.

Wednesday: Mandarin chicken, salad, marinated beets, pea salad, cheesecake.

Thursday: Riblet sandwich, macaroni salad, corn, carrots and raisin salad, banana.

Friday: Roast turkey, bread dressing, vegetables, tossed salad, Jell-O w/fruit.

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Photo:

Community Concerts Association members Barbara Blancett, Joan Greene, Ron Ferrell and Joan Runsvold, clockwise from left, at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center.

Bettie Rencoret/Special to the Daily News