Renowned modern hymnists Keith and Kristyn Getty – generally considered to have revolutionised the form with well-known hymns including “In Christ Alone” – return home to Northern Ireland next week to kick off their “Facing A Task Unfinished” world tour.
The husband and wife singer-songwriting duo will perform three concerts and a church music conference on September 8-10 at the Belfast Waterfront Hall and Conference Centre.
“We’re very much looking forward to performing in Belfast,” said Keith, 41, originally from Lisburn. “As Christian music writers, we hope to connect with a new audience and see some familiar faces. There will be music, dance, and praise. Something for everyone to enjoy.”
The couple then travel to London the following day for the Songs of Praise “Big Sing” event and filming at Royal Albert Hall and an additional Songs of Praise episode taping.
These appearances follow the release of Keith and Kristyn’s No. 1 charting album Facing a Task Unfinished, which includes special guest appearances from Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Paul Simon, The Lion King), and folk musicians from around the world.
The Gettys’ Belfast concerts follow recent performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall, a segment on CBS Sunday Morning, and a global “Hymn Sing” wherein an estimated 1.1 million people in 100 countries joined together to sing “Facing a Task Unfinished” on a Sunday this past February.
For the three nightly concerts, Keith and Kristyn will be joined by their band and special guests The New Irish Choir and Orchestra as they perform the Gettys’ original compositions including “O Children Come,” “Living Waters” and “In Christ Alone,” one of the most-sung hymns in churches around the world. The performances will be recorded by BBC-NI Radio for special programming.
Passionate about the spiritual connection found by the faithful in congregational singing, Keith and Kristyn are hosting the one-day music conference on September 10 in association with New Irish Arts for local church pastors and musicians.
Guests include songwriter Stuart Townend, Bishop Harold Millar from The Church of Ireland, the Reverend David Bruce from The Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Jonathan Rea, Creative Chief Executive for New Irish Arts.
The Waterfront Hall events are sponsored by Stand By Me, a relief charity aiding children in developing nations, with additional support from OMF International. Additional information about concert and conference times and ticketing may be found at www.gettymusic.com/tours or www.waterfront.co.uk.