It seems like yesterday that we began planning for the Senior Choir’s Pilgrimage to Salisbury Cathedral, but in fact, planning began way back in the fall of 2022. On  July 17, our group of singers and non-singing travelers (“groupies”) will depart Cleveland for the United Kingdom.

Our troupe of 40 will arrive at London’s Heathrow airport on Friday, July 18, to begin a ten-day adventure together. After a stop in Windsor and a tour of Windsor Castle, the group will travel to Bath where they will be in residence at Bath Abbey to sing services on Saturday and Sunday.

From there, we travel slightly south to the City of Salisbury to be the choir in residence at Salisbury Cathedral. Salisbury’s Nave and Quire were finished around 1258, and its 404-foot tower was completed in 1330. Salisbury has been a leader in liturgical practices throughout its history and many of our oldest rites come from Salisbury (Sarum, in Latin).

During the week, we will spend our mornings traveling to various historical spots, but our focus is to sing daily services. These trips can be transformative for a choir, and the UK is the only place in the world to be able to undertake such a pilgrimage. We hope that you will follow our trip in a few ways:

Livestreamed Services

Show your support by tuning in to livestreamed services:

Sunday, July 20, Eucharist and Choral Evensong at Bath Abbey

Watch using the link below or on Bath Abbey’s YouTube Channel.

Sunday, July 27, Eucharist and Choral Evensong at Salisbury Cathedral

Watch using the link below or on Salisbury Cathedral’s YouTube Channel.

Daily Blog Posts

Second, we have established a daily blog for the trip—Stories from Salisbury. The Rev. Gregory Sammons, father to choir member Liz Rodems, will be our official blogster. Watch for photos, stories, and content about the trip.

To send us off, please come to the Bon Voyage Choral Evensong on July 13, at 4 p.m. You will hear our tour choir and organist Todd Wilson do exactly what we will be doing in England – singing the Office of Evening Prayer: giving thanks for the day that is past, offering sung prayers for a restful and peaceful night ahead, and asking for guidance in a complex and busy world.

I hope you will join us and allow us to thank you for your support for these past three years of preparation.