Edward Elgar was a composer famous for many other pieces along with Pomp and Circumstance, these famous works include Enigma Variations, Overture: In The South, The Kingdom, The Music Makers and The Dream of Gerontius. Proceeding his almost unparalleled fame from these works, Elgar was asked to come to the United States and conduct his works. Elgar was not convinced to come to America until years later after speaking to "his great American friend, Samuel Sanford, Professor of Applied Music at Yale University." Elgar was promised a resplendent reception in his honor once he came to the states. Once he was at Yale, Elgar would conduct his many pieces along with a chorus in the graduation ceremony. It was not until the guests were leaving the ceremony did they hear Elgar's piece whose title derived from an act of Shakespeare's "Othello." The piece was called, Pomp and Circumstance.

As the last note rung through the halls, the everlasting impression was made upon the audience as they carried the piece from colleges like Princeton, Chicago, Rutgers, and Vassar. Today, Pomp and Circumstance can be heard at graduation ceremonies of almost all schools nationwide. But why was it that this specific piece had such an impact on audiences that it is still so alive in our society today"

It is because Pomp and Circumstance brought something that few other pieces could bring. Elgar caused an aura of excellence, emotion, and passion to be projected to all of his audiences. Allowing views to connect with everything they have ever felt within their lives. Great thought and pure genius are underlying each seemingly simple measure of this piece.

In 1933, Edward Elgar discovered that he had cancer and removed large parts of tumors through a series of surgeries. A year and half later, Elgar passed away but his legacy that lies within Pomp and Circumstance as well as the other pieces he composed will live on forever.