By Brent Burgess on Wednesday, March 15, 2023
A unique concert experience is coming to Fredericksburg on Friday, March 24 at the Fredericksburg High School Auditorium. Keith and Kristyn Getty could be described as contemporary hymn composers, songwriters who are taking a centuries-old form of religious music and making it fresh for the modern age.
As a classically trained musician on both guitar and flute, Keith Getty was posed to bring professional composition to add richness to the church of his upbringing.
“I had been working as a professional composer and began sensing the need for more meaningful church music, songs that would equip churches to know rich, deep theology,” said Keith Getty. “Stuart Townend and I began writing our first hymn, ‘In Christ Alone,’ together in 2000. Soon after that, Kristyn began working with me and we developed a desire to spend our lives doing this work.”
Keith Getty co-wrote the popular modern hymn, “In Christ Alone,” in 2000 with English songwriter Stuart Townend.
Keith Getty grew up in Northern Ireland where church music has a deep tradition.
“I grew up in Lisburn, Northern Ireland with my parents and three siblings,” said Getty. “My mum was a piano teacher and my dad a church organist and they allowed me a wide range of musical exposure, from classical music to traditional Irish music, to church music.”
As a boy, Getty participated in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. At that young age, he was encouraged to develop musical arrangements for the first time.
In 2000, Getty composed “In Christ Alone,” with English songwriter, Stuart Townend, and the song has remained popular in the American church for almost two decades. Like many hymns, ‘In Christ Alone’ contains lyrics that are meant to develop a deeper theology and doctrine for the listener or singer.
“Everything we write is guided by a desire to create songs that will stir us to action and challenge us with biblical truths,” said Getty. “It is important that we sing songs now that we want to grow old with, ones that will carry us through the storms of life and fill us with gratitude in moments of blessing.”
Drawing on inspiration from classical composers and hymn writers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Charles Wesley, Getty works to compose songs and lyrics that will remain timeless yet catchy enough to be sung by everyone in a group or congregation.
The Gettys will perform at the FHS Auditorium in a concert presented by Trinity Church in Fredericksburg and Outreach Fredericksburg. Outreach Fredericksburg is a non-profit organization created to connect churches in the Fredericksburg area through music, and to support the poor and distressed in the community.
The Gettys are an international touring music group with songs that have been performed throughout the globe. They are familiar with Texas, but this will be their first time in Fredericksburg.
Keith and Kristyn Getty perform throughout the world as modern hymn composers and writers of contemporary Christian music. The Gettys will perform at the FHS Auditorium on March 24.
“While we’ve been to Texas several times before, this will be our first ever time in Fredericksburg,” said Getty. “In every city, we love looking out over those gathered and seeing smiles, voices raised in song, and people tapping their feet to a new melody.
“But as Christians, we sing for a much deeper reason. We sing because we are created to. Each time we gather with an audience filled with our friends, new and old, our hope is to convey words and melodies that speak truth.”
After performing in Fredericksburg, the Gettys will continue with the big plans they have as performers and as hymn composers.
“We have a few more shows this spring, followed by the Sing! World Tour, taking us to Europe, Asia and Australia this summer and the Sing! Conference in Nashville this September,” said Getty.
“We’re also excited to be working toward the publication of a hymnal with our friends at Crossway (publishing).
The performance at FHS Auditorium will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 24.
“Everything we are doing this year is geared toward a 50-year vision,” said Getty. “How can we create hymns and projects now that will continue to encourage Christians for generations to come?”
For ticket information visit: OutreachFredericksburg.com.
Keith and Kristyn Getty perform throughout the world with songs to inspire their audiences. Kristyn (pictured) and Keith were married in 2004 and have four daughters.