Original: Pomp and Circumstance NPR Music It was first played at such a ceremony on 28 June 1905 , at Yale University , where the Professor of Music Samuel Sanford had invited his friend Elgar to attend commencement and receive an honorary Doctorate of Music .
Simplified: Then , on 15 May , at Sanford 's prompting , Yale University invited Elgar to receive an Honorary Doctor of Music on 28 June .