FAMILY HAS FUN IN FOUR PARTS; COUPLE, KIDS SHARE JOY IN BARBERSHOP MUSIC GROUPS.

Byline: Angela Randazzo Daily News Staff Writer

The candy-cane-striped pole of the barbershop may have all but disappeared, but the spirit of the barbershop quartet lives on - at least with the Ashkenasy family.

Singing those old-time favorites is a family tradition. Lance Ashkenasy, 41, is a member of the Harmony Oaks Chorus, along with his 13-year-old son, Harrison.

``The chorus is a nice thing to do with my dad,'' said Harrison, ``I plan to be a member for the rest of my life.''

Lance's wife, Robin, 40, is a member of the Harmony Oaks' female counterpart - the Agoura Hills Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines International. The couple's 9-year-old daughter, Jessica, who enjoys singing her mom's music, wants to join the Sweet Adelines as soon as she reaches the required age of 14.

The only regret Lance and Robin Ashkenasy have about joining their chorus groups is that they didn't do it sooner. Both spouses enjoyed singing in high school and sang, hit and miss, nonprofessionally after graduation.

``Music's been an important part of my life and there was a big hole when I wasn't singing.'' said Robin Ashkenasy.

The family moved to Moorpark 11 years ago with Lance Ashkenasy running his own computer consulting business, P.C. Housecalls and, until recently, his wife ran a consignment store.

In 1996, the Ashkenasys' next-door neighbors, Bob James, a member of the Harmony Oaks Chorus, and his wife, Sharon, a Sweet Adeline, invited the Ashkenasys to a barbershop performance.

``I heard the music and I was hooked,'' said Lance Ashkenasy.

The 57-member Harmony Oaks Chorus is the Conejo Valley Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. Founded in 1938, the goal of the society is to bring together male vocalists who love singing the harmonies that were popular when folks gathered around the parlor piano at the turn of the century.

``Sometimes when we hit a certain chord, the beauty of the sound brings tears to my eyes,'' said Ed Schackman, vice president of music and programming for the Harmony Oaks Chorus.

Like the society, the Sweet Adelines is a worldwide organization with local chapters dedicated to preserving the art form. Robin Ashkenasy believes joining the Sweet Adelines made a big difference in her life.

``Joining the chorus has changed my life 100 percent,'' said Ashkenasy. ``I can go to a rehearsal in a bad mood and come out in a good mood.''

The Harmony Oaks Chorus and Agoura Hills Harmony Chorus perform at local events, concerts and national competitions. Tunes like ``My Wild Irish Rose,'' ``Sweet Adeline'' and ``Heart of My Heart'' are standard fair, sung a capella in four-part harmony. Updated tunes also are part of the repertoire as long as they meet the criteria. Although both choruses are nonprofessional, they strive for musical excellence.

``We work really hard but it's all in fun,'' said Ashkenasy.

Last month, the Ashkenasys joined singers from over 20 barbershop groups for a camp-out held in Kenny Grove in Fillmore.

The quartets gathered around the campfire for an informal competition. Ashkenasy sang baritone as his son, Harrison, sang the melody to ``Let Me Call You Sweetheart.'' Their quartet didn't win but blending those sweet harmonies was reward enough.

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Photo

PHOTO (Color in Simi Edition only) Robin and Lance Ashkenasy and their kids, Jessica and Harrison, share a love of singing.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News