Pomp and Circumstance Marches Pomp and Circumstance Marches The Pomp and Circumstance Marches (full title "Pomp and Circumstance Military Marches"), Op. 39, are a series of marches for orchestra composed by Sir Edward Elgar. They include some of Elgar's best-known compositions. The title is taken from Act III, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's "Othello": <poem>Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, th'ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, "pomp, and circumstance" of glorious war!</poem> But also, on the score of the first march, Elgar set as a motto for the whole set of marches a verse from Lord de
Pomp and Circumstance Marches modified form, for the "Land of hope and glory" section of his "Coronation Ode" for King Edward VII. The words were further modified to fit the original tune, and the result has since become a fixture at the Last Night of the Proms, and an English sporting anthem. In the United States, the "Trio" section "Land of Hope and Glory" of March No. 1 is often known simply as "Pomp and Circumstance" or as "The Graduation March" and is played as the at virtually all high school and some college graduation ceremonies. It was first played at such a ceremony