Local music professor emeritus publishes new book – Valley Times-News

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Lanett resident Byron Cartwright’s new book, “Amazing Sounds in a Midwestern Town — Columbus, Indiana: Small City with a Big Musical Heritage,” debuts to the public on Sept. 24.

Cartwright has published two books previously, including his memoirs on teaching music “Connections and Reflections,” and his introduction to music philosophy, “All About Music … Nothing About Music.”

Cartwright grew up in the Midwest in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Cincinnati Bible Seminary, where he earned an undergraduate and graduate degree. He also received a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a doctorate degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

Cartwright taught at Cincinnati Bible Seminary for 15 years and met his wife, Kate, there, who was also a professor. Cartwright also held several ministries, including ones in Mason, Ohio, and Phoenix, Arizona.

Cartwright and his wife came to Atlanta in 1993 to teach music at Point University (then Atlanta Christian College) and moved to Lanett in 2012 when the college moved to West Point. Cartwright was on Point’s staff until 2019 when he retired. He said his time at Point “enriched his life in a fantastic way.” He and his wife even had the opportunity to form an alumni choir who performed at the recent inauguration of new president Dr. Stacy Bartlett.

Cartwright loves being part of Point University and Lanett.

“We love living in Alabama. I tell people, ‘You know, I never thought I’d live in Alabama, but I love it.’ We’re just staying right here since we’ve retired,” Cartwright said.

Now in retirement, Cartwright has had time to go back to his Midwestern roots with his new book. He even traveled to Columbus, Indiana, a few years ago to dig into his roots more.

Inspired by one of his Cincinnati Bible Seminary professors who was from Columbus, Indiana, and the rich history of musicians from there, Cartwright decided to show some little glimpses and stories of how music shaped the city in his book.

“I just think that people would get a little idea of how much music can mean to a community if they kind of see what goes on in this book. There’s some fascinating stories about people in this book, and I think they might be not only interested but motivated to help talented people in music around them,” Cartwright said.

“Amazing Sounds” is published by PathBinder Publishing, also out of Columbus, Indiana.