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Well composed By Bill Choy,Ashland Daily Tidings Jan 06, 2005 12:00 AM A A A former reference librarian at the Ashland Public Library — before retiring two years ago, Ashworth, an Ashland resident for 34 years, — will have the local chamber ensemble SyZyGy perform one of his music compositions — on Jan. 15 — The trio work will be performed by a cellist, a pianist — and a violinist. — "It's hard to put into words," Ashworth said about composing. — "I like the creative aspect of it. I like putting sounds together that — please me. I like music that goes someplace and builds something." — He said it's always interesting and exciting to have one — of his compositions performed live. — "It's always a pleasure to hear something rather than — seeing it on paper," Ashworth said. "Music is a form of communication — and if an audience is not hearing it, it's not communicating anything." — Ashworth said he enjoys hearing how the musicians perform — and interpret his compositions. — "There's always the element of the unexpected," he said. — "You're allowing them to get into your thoughts that's not possible any — other way." — Ashworth has also written 12 books focusing on nature — and the environment and is working on his 13th book. — He has written books on the Great Lakes, penguins, puffins — and auks, bears and Environmental Studies. He was winner of the Oregon — Books Awards for literary nonfiction in 1999 for the book " The Left Hand — of Eden." — Ashworth said in general, he enjoys the craft of writing. — "It's putting facts in front of people," he said. "It — is musical in the structure and the sound." — He is also an avid outdoor enthusiast, which he said makes — Ashland a perfect place to live. — Ashworth has been a board member of the Rogue Institute — for Ecology and Economy, and has been on the bylaws committee of the Inland — Empire Group of the Sierra Club. In 1988, he won the Holly Jones Award, — from the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club for service to wilderness preservation — in Oregon. — After completing his newest book, Ashworth plans to travel — the United States with his wife. An avid photographer, Ashworth is looking — forward to taking photos of nature and the outdoors. — One of his favorite spots he plans to revisit is the Lake — Superior area. — "It's one of the most beautiful parts of the U.S. and — a lot of people don't know that," he said. — The SyZyGy concert performing a trio by Ashworth will — be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the First United Methodist Church, — 175 N. Main St., Ashland. — The concert will include works by five other Northwest — composers. Several of them will be present to talk about their pieces. — Tickets are $10 at the door and $5 for students. — For more information, call 488-5506.