Grove City College is the local host sponsor for modern hymnwriters Keith and Kristyn Getty’s upcoming holiday performance at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.
The Gettys are renowned for their popular Irish sounds, as well as well-sung hymns like “In Christ Alone.” The Gettys continue to be global ambassadors for modern hymns, performing in some of the world’s most prominent venues.
Keith and Kristyn Getty have a strong connection to the College. They sang at the inauguration of President Paul J. McNulty ’80, and that marked the beginning of their relationship with Grove City College. In 2016, the pair sang in Harbison Chapel on campus, hosted workshops on hymn writing and singing, and performed for students in the Physical Learning Center Arena.
At the Benedum they will perform “Sing! An Irish Christmas” with American Grammy Award-winning singer Ricky Skaggs opening the show with cellist Anne Martindale Williams of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Williams recently performed at Grove City College’s “Classical Faith” event last October.
Skaggs plays and sings a blend of genres including bluegrass and country music. Skaggs’ band and the Gettys share the sounds of instruments like guitar, mandolin, fiddle, double bass, and banjo but they also share a common Christian Mission. “Our bluegrass sound draws unbelievers, but when they get to our show, they hear the Gospel—whether it's the words in the song or the words I say between songs, somehow they will be confronted with the Gospel,” Skaggs says in his mission statement.
As a local host partner of the Getty concert, Grove City College offered alumni and friends discounted, reserved seats, a pre-show reception at Pork & Beans at 136 6th Street in Pittsburgh with the McNultys and special guest Keith Getty, plus a free download of the “Sing! An Irish Christmas” album after the show.
Grove City College group tickets and reception are sold out, but tickets for the concert can still be purchased at www.gettymusic.com/pittsburgh.