Skidmania Fall 2025
The Department of Music is pleased to announce the fourth annual Skidmania, planned for November 21-22, 2025 at the Arthur Zankel Music Center. Celebrating the music of 50 years ago, and fueled by the talent and imagination of Skidmore student musicians, Skidmania ’75 will offer an exciting and inclusive bill of music and musicians, with all proceeds to charity. Auditioned student acts will present creative twists on familiar music, as well as straight-up tributes--all based on selections from the music of 1975. Song ideas, audition guidelines, and schedule are described below.
Eligible Songs
Any music from 1975 is eligible for audition (though see exceptions, under Audition Guidelines, below). Some noteworthy eligible songs include “Crazy on You” (Heart), “Acid Queen,” (Tina Turner), “Sweet Emotion” (Aerosmith), “Feel Like Makin Love” (Roberta Flack), “Nights on Broadway” (Bee Gees), “When it Comes Down to It” (Minnie Riperton), “Take it to the Limit” (Eagles), “Better by the Pound” (Funkadelic), “Love is a Rose” (Linda Ronstadt), “How Long” (Pointer Sisters), “I Love Rock and Roll” (The Arrows), and many more wonderful possibilities! Further song ideas may be gleaned from and other sources. Some particularly promising selections include:
- “How Long” (Pointer Sisters)
- “Crazy on You” (Heart)
- “That’s the Way of the World” (Earth, Wind, and Fire)
- “Love Will Keep Us Together” (Captain and Tenille)
- “You Got the Love” (Rufus)
- “I Love Rock and Roll” (The Arrows)
- “Feel Like Makin Love” (Roberta Flack)
- “Show Me the Way” (Peter Frampton)
- “Rhiannon” (Fleetwood Mac)
- “When it Comes Down To It” (Minnie Riperton)
- “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” (Elton John)
- “Acid Queen” (Tina Turner)
- “Still Crazy After All These Years” (Paul Simon)
- “Attitude Dancing” (Carly Simon)
- “Fire on the Bayou” (The Meters)
- “Sweet Emotion” (Aerosmith)
- “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” (Delfonics)
- “Tangled Up in Blue” (Bob Dylan)
- “Mamma Mia” (Abba)
- “The Hustle” (Van McCoy)
- “Love is a Rose” (Linda Ronstadt)
- “Dream Weaver” (Gary Wright)
- “I Love Music” (O’Jays)
- “Só Queria Ser Feliz” (Beth Carvalho)
- “Sister Golden Hair” (America)
- “You’re My Best Friend” (Queen)
- “Old Marcus Garvey” (Burning Spear)
- “At Seventeen” (Janis Ian)
- “Johannesburg” (Gil Scott-Heron)
- “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (Bad Company)
- “Nights on Broadway” (Bee Gees)
- “Better by the Pound” (Funkadelic)
- “Take it to the Limit” (Eagles)
- “Welcome Back” (John Sebastian)
- “Southern Nights” (Allen Toussaint)
- “The Seeker” (Dolly Parton)
Audition Guidelines
Calling all Skidmore students: take the stage for this historic musical event by submitting a video audition (see below)!
- We seek a diverse, inclusive mix of musical selections and student performers.
- We seek high-quality performances in a wide variety of styles and interpretations.
- Songs should be chosen from the music of 1975. See above for suggestions and resources; see below for two off-limit selections, to be featured in rousing finales.
- It is strongly recommended that any audition ideas be first vetted by Jeremy Day-O’Connell, so as to confirm eligibility and minimize any duplicate selections.
- We wish to accommodate as many acts and performers as possible. Long songs and solo acts may be subject to additional scrutiny in this regard when selecting the program.
- The following finales will be reserved for our faculty house band, The Skidmaniacs,
but student vocalists are invited to audition for featured solos:
- Bruce Springsteen’s album Born to Run (medley)
- Earth, Wind, and Fire, “Shining Star”
Important Dates
Interested students should confirm availability for the following. Note that academic responsibilities always take precedent; students should never ask their professors for special dispensation regarding extracurricular activities such as Skidmania.
- September 19: auditions due for vocal solos only (“Shining Star” and Bruce Springsteen medley). Submit 1- to 2-minute audio by email.
- October 5: regular auditions due by midnight. .
- November 20: evening soundchecks (15 minutes per act, TBD)
- November 21: 3:00-5:00 dress rehearsal (acts are needed only for their slot, TBD)
- November 21 and 22: Skidmania ’75 performance (call time 7:15; show at 8:00)
Questions or Comments
Questions about song selection, the audition process, or anything else that’s on your mind: contact Jeremy Day-O’Connell.