On 16 June it was announced that Keith Getty would be receiving an OBE.
The award, which commemorates Getty’s contribution to ‘Music and Modern Hymn Writing’, marks the first occasion that the award has been given to someone involved in contemporary church music.
Getty, along with collaborators including his wife, Kristyn, as well as Stuart Townend, has written over 60 of the most sung hymns.
Most popular hymn
The Getty-Townend hymn In Christ Alone is the most popular hymn sung in the UK for the past nine years and is also among the top ten in the USA. According to their publishers, it is estimated that over 100 million people sang this one hymn in the last 12 months.
Getty’s hymns are popular across all denominations and their music has been performed at national celebrations in several countries, as well as recorded by well-known artists. Keith Getty said: ‘When I first received the call, I was shocked. As a Brit living in America it is an incredible gift to receive from home, especially given the long history of the award and the legacy of individuals who have received it. It is also wonderful to see hymnody and the great hymn-writing heritage I am [part of] in the UK being recognised. I am very grateful to Her Majesty The Queen for this honour.’
