Alphabet associations

[rubbernecker]

What C is an American alma mater; Edward's first waxing; a back-alley aria from one who smiled through?

[Norfolk Born]

Cornell? (It's a US uinversity, and the Cornell Chamber Orchestra has recorded at least one piece by Elgar).

[rubbernecker]

Cornell? (It's a US uinversity, and the Cornell Chamber Orchestra has recorded at least one piece by Elgar).

Sorry, Ofca. You didn't think I'd make it as easy as that?

[Norfolk Born]

Please don't feel the need to apologize! And we all know that fast bowlers sometimes slip in a slower ball just to keep the batsmen on their toes.

[mercia]

well

Carissima was the first of Elgar's works to be recorded (on wax?) on 21/1/1914 by the Gramophone Company
I always thought alma mater meant a place, but if I have understood this correctly Carissima is the alma mater (song) of Hamilton College

Vera Lynn kept smiling through but I can't find a Carissima with her

[Norfolk Born]

Back Valley Oproar (whoever he was) also wrote a 'Carissima'. (Just tidying up again!)

[Angle]

Columbia, perhaps?

Columbia made the first recording of Elgar's Violin Concerto
Columbia is an American University
Columbia also issued Vera Lynn's Keep Smilin Through but I don't get the back-alley ref.

[Angle]

We've all been beavering away and I have been barking up the wrong tree after rejecting Carissima because, as mercia couldn't, I couldn't find a connection with Lynn alma mater.

Right chaps, I leave you to it. Have to be off.

[rubbernecker]

Apologies for absence, that damned nuisance, work....

Carissima is correct

An alma mater can be the song as well as the place, and Carissima is Hamilton's AM;
It was the first of Elgar's compositions to be recorded;
It is a spoof aria written by Arthur A. Penn (who also wrote Smilin' Through) for Back Alley Oproar, one of those cherished Merrie Melodies. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dG3QJX2VyI&feature=fvsr

I make that Mercia 2, and Ofca 1. So D to Mercia, I guess...

[mercia]

erm, thanks

D

Sali + friend walk to the pub, Niels & Erik compete for love, there are variations near the Ancholme and a Scarborough boy helps out