FIFTY pilgrims undertook a six-mile “Constable Country Pilgrimage of Song” on Saturday, starting with bacon sandwiches and a music workshop in Stratford St Mary Church, and walking between the churches of East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford, and Lawford, to carry a service in every one.
In a collaboration between St Edmundsbury Cathedral’s InHarmony project and the inter-church choir Cantus Firmus, the music for every service had been specially composed by Emma Steadman. The first three were based on the trio of spiritual works that Constable painted for East Anglian churches: Christ Blessing the Children, Christ Blessing the Bread and Wine, and The Ascension; the fourth took the theme of creativity and God the Creator.
ST EDMONDSBURY CATHEDRALHappy band of pilgrims
“The highlight for me was the the best way that everybody engaged with such a big selection of musical styles,” said the cathedral’s music development director, Richard Hubbard, who’s the artistic director of Cantus Firmus. Musical accompaniment through the pilgrimage was a combination of organ, piano, and violin; the singers learned 13 pieces on the workshop.
Mr Hubbard had sought out music to match the assorted features of the services and finely balance the talents of the pilgrims. “We had traditional hymns, some worship songs and a few anthems, and everybody threw themselves right into a wider range than most would have experienced on an everyday Sunday in their very own church. Different types of music can assist you engage deeper with God, in a way you may not otherwise have expected.”
This is the 14th pilgrimage by Cantus Firmus across Suffolk and north Essex, and the straddling of the county border drew each regulars and singers from further afield.
The weather was kind — just one thunderstorm, which “mercifully” happened during considered one of the services — and the day ended with a hot meal at St Mary’s, Lawford. Another Pilgrimage of Song is planned for next yr within the Southwold area.
For details of the Summer 2026 Pilgrimage of Song, see: www.cantusfirmus.org.uk
