Scott Anderson, professor of trombone, will deliver a faculty recital, “Degrees of Separation,” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in Kimball Recital Hall.

The performance, one of two Glenn Korff School of Music events this week (Sept. 21-27), is free and open to the public.

Anderson said the recital title is inspired by the question, “Who is that?” — something most trombone players hear when they say the name of composers of the music they play.

“I decided that the question could be answered by using the theory of six degrees of separation,” Anderson said.

The theory was first proposed in 1929 by Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy in his short story “Chains.” The theory — researched by sociologist Stanley Milgram before being discounted based on insufficient sample size — states that any person can be connected to another by a chain of acquaintances of no more than five intermediaries.

With the exception of Gustav Mahler, each composer featured in Anderson’s recital is connected by six degrees to another, more famous composer.

The other School of Music performance this week is “Cellobration,” a day-long, Sept. 27 celebration of cello. The event will feature Karen Becker, professor of cello, and David Littrell, visiting professor emeritus from Kansas State University. After a series of clinics and rehearsals, the day will culminate with a final performance with a cello choir, faculty and university students at 4:30 p.m. and a concert by the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m.

Learn more about “Cellobration” and other School of Music events.