NI hymn-writing couple in fine voice for US Vice-President
A HYMN-writing couple from Northern Ireland have sung Christmas carols with the US Vice-President.
Keith Getty, originally from Lisburn, and his wife Kristyn, from Glengormley, met Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen at the John F Kennedy Centre in Washington DC.
The Gettys, who were appear- ing at a sold-out performance of their Sing! An Irish Christmas on a tour of the US, were also guests of the Vice-President at his residence.
“He and Karen enjoyed the Irish flavour we added to their Yule season,” said Keith, who is based in Nevada.
The couple are playing 15 cities with Sing! including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Keybank State Theatre in Cleveland.
Keith is the co-author with Stuart Townsend of In Christ Alone, one of the best known modern hymns.
The Getty couple reinvented the traditional hymn form and became widely known after In Christ Alone was penned by Keith (42) and his long-time writing partner Townsend.
He was first discovered as a musical great by Sir James Galway, who aided him in his early career.
For the past 10 years In Christ Alone has been the most frequently sung hymn in UK churches, and has been voted one of the best-loved hymn of all time in Christian churches everywhere.
The Getty couple, who have three young daughters, will be back in Northern Ireland in the summer.
Right now their touring show is currently in Washington before heading to New York.