of 'Pomp and Circumstance'
This year Yale will mark its 304th Commencement, and it will also pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of a graduation tradition that began at the University and has spread throughout the nation.
The work "Pomp and Circumstance," now a standard part of many high school and college graduations, was first performed during a graduation at Yale in 1905.
That year, the work's composer, Edward Elgar, was given an honorary doctorate of music at Yale's graduation, then held in Woolsey Hall. In honor of the acclaimed British composer, the chorus from Elgar's "Light of Life" was performed during the ceremony by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra with accompaniment on the Newberry Organ, and his "Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D Major" was performed as the graduates recessed.
Soon afterward, other prestigious universities made the music part of their graduation ceremonies, including Princeton in 1907, Chicago in 1908, Columbia in 1913, Vassar in 1916 and Rutgers in 1918. By the 1920s, it attained widespread use.
In honor of the tradition's 100th anniversary, University organist Thomas Murray will play "Pomp and Circumstance" on the Newberry Organ as part of the recession at each presentation of the Baccalaureate Address in Woolsey Hall. The tune, incidentally, takes its name from a line lauding military fanfare in Shakespeare's "Othello": "Pride, Pomp and circumstances of glorious war!" It is one of four works by Elgar that bears the name.
This year's Commencement Weekend will take place Saturday-Monday, May 21-23. Highlights will include presentations of the Baccalaureate Address by President Richard C. Levin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 9:30 and 11 a.m. on Sunday; Senior Class Day at 2 p.m. on Sunday on Old Campus, featuring a talk by U.S. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, presentation of academic and teaching prizes, and other activities and traditions; and University Commencement Exercises at 10:30 a.m. on Monday on Old Campus. Individual degrees and other awards will be presented at ceremonies hosted by the residential colleges and professional schools.
For a complete schedule of Commencement weekend activities, visit the website at www.yale.edu/commencement.
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Team creates blood test for 'silent killer'
University marks 100 years of 'Pomp and Circumstance'
Yale scientist featured in new stamp series
Twelve honored for strengthening town-gown ties
ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPSTwo appointed to Sterling chairs
R. Howard Bloch: French and Medieval Studies
Ian Shapiro: Political science and YCIASRomano named Ruebhausen Professor
Waxman is appointed to Flaherty chair
Dr. State has been designated Harris Assistant Professor . . .
Krauss named to second term at Silliman
Researchers discover virus' potential to target and kill deadly brain tumor
Yale professors endow teaching and research fund in the history of science
Study shows, when it comes to fish genitalia, size has pros and cons
Two Yale scientists honored with election to the NAS
Six Yale affiliates elected fellows of scholarly society
Beijing conference explored Chinese constitutionalism
New scholarship will help nurture future activist ministers
Yale-IBM computer facility formally dedicated
REUNIONSAlumni will gather for talks, tours and other special events
Library exhibit celebrates the accomplishments of the Class of '55
Medical school reunions feature talks on cutting-edge research
Yale launches research on lung cancer . . .
Workshop will explore technology's power to capture . . .
Show features artist's colorful depictions of 'Northern Shores'
Glen Micalizio wins Beckman Young Investigator award . . .
IN MEMORIAMBenjamin Mordecai: Drama school teacher and Broadway producer
Memorial service to honor South African historian Leonard Thompson
Campus Notes
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