COURSE PUTS FOCUS ON MULTIRACIAL ANCESTRY.

Byline: Joanne Crawford Education

A leader of an organization of Americans with multiracial ancestry will speak Sept. 9 at Antelope Valley College.

Thomas Lopez, vice president of Multiracial Americans of Southern California and who is of mixed Mexican, Polish and German descent, will talk about multiracial issues being faced today and the future of the multiracial movement, said Karen Eizenga, media relations spokeswoman for the college.

``His speech is designed to challenge people to confront their preconceptions of race and ethnicity,'' Eizenga said.

The talk will be 7 to 9:50 p.m. in Room 727 on the campus, 3041 W. Ave. K. It is part of a new course, persons of mixed racial/ethnic heritage, and is open to the public, instructor Robert Harris said.

``Those of multiracial backgrounds are the fastest growing movement in the nation,'' Harris said. ``One significance of having Thomas Lopez speak in the community is to raise awareness of the reality of multiracial people and the reality of the growing multiracial culture.''

MASC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the educational, social and political needs of racially blended individuals, couples and families. Since its inception in 1986, the group has conducted a yearly conference that has attracted people from across the country.

For additional information, call Harris at [phone].

LANCASTER - The Antelope Valley Symphony and the Antelope Valley Master Chorale will unite to perform concerts this season with artistic director David Newby conducting several concerts.

The season premiere, featuring Rossini's ``The William Tell Overture,'' will be held Sept. 12 at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center. The event will also include works from Beethoven and Grieg, and Handel's ``Judas Maccabucus,'' said Steve Standerfer, college public relations director.

The symphony and the chorale will present Handel's ``Messiah'' on Dec. 19 and 20, he said.

Armen Anassain, conductor and a violinist for the artist Yanni, will perform as soloist in Bach's ``Violin Concerto in G Minor'' Feb. 27, Standerfer said. Also featured will be the winners of a Bach competition sponsored by the symphony and chorale. Mozart's ``Symphony No. 40 in G Minor'' will conclude the Feb. 27 concert.

On March 12, Thomas Linde of Taichung University will perform Ravel's ``Piano Concerto for the Left Hand,'' Standerfer said.

Additional works that evening will include Wagner's ``Ride of the Valkyries'' along with Stravinsky's ``Firebird Suite'' and Tchaikovsky's ``The 1812 Overture.''

To obtain season ticket information, contact the box office at [phone] or the Antelope Valley Master Chorale at [phone].

Information on chorister auditions, call [phone].

LANCASTER - Fall semester class registration at Antelope Valley College will continue today with walk-in registration being held from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the campus Student Services Building.

Those with existing phone-registration appointments can sign up for classes through today, Eizenga said.

``Among the new courses presented this semester is dance appreciation . . . a course which studies the evolution of dance throughout history, and exposes students to the talents of prominent choreographers and performers in various areas of dance,'' Eizenga said. ``Students interested in art, art history or computerized drawing may enhance their skills in such courses as art appreciation, history of 20th century art or introduction to computerized drawing. These courses offer students a better understanding of art, its history and its future.''

Other courses will include Chicano psychology, basics of sewing, persons of mixed racial/ethnic heritage, painting, electrical drafting, synthesizer and introduction to interior design.

``These classes are available to those who seek to gain knowledge in a particular subject or enhance their skills and talents,'' Eizenga said. ``More than 1,000 courses are available at Antelope Valley College.''

To find out more, call [phone].