Skidmania Fall 2026
The Department of Music is pleased to announce the fifth annual Skidmania, planned for November 6-7, 2026 at the Arthur Zankel Music Center. Celebrating the music of 50 years ago, and fueled by the talent and imagination of 91传媒 student musicians, Skidmania '76 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 1976. Song ideas, audition guidelines, and schedule are described below.
Eligible Songs
Any music from 1976 is eligible for audition (though see exceptions, under Audition Guidelines, below). Some noteworthy eligible songs include 淢ore Than a Feeling� (Boston), 淭urn the Beat Around� (Vicki Sue Robinson), 淒on檛 Fear the Reaper� (Blue Oyster Cult), 淩ight Back Where We Started From� (Maxine Nightingale), 淪illy Love Songs� (Wings), 淏litzkrieg Bop� (Ramones), 淪omebody to Love� (Queen), 淐razy On You� (Heart), and many more wonderful possibilities! Further song ideas may be gleaned from and other sources. Some particularly promising selections include:
- 淏litzkrieg Bop� (Ramones)
- 淒on檛 Fear the Reaper� (Blue Oyster Cult)
- 淟ove and Affection� (Joan Armatrading)
- 淪till the One� (Orleans)
- 淢ore than a Feeling� (Boston)
- 淟ife in the Fast Lane� (Eagles)
- 淪ofrito� (Mongo Santamaria)
- 淩hiannon� (Fleetwood Mac)
- 淭akin� It to the Streets� (Doobie Brothers)
- 淒arlin� Darlin� Baby� (O橨ays)
- 淒irty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap� (AC/DC)
- 淓njoy Yourself� (The Jacksons)
- 淔ly Like an Eagle� (Steve Miller Band)
- 淭ogether Again� (Emmylou Harris)
- 淪omebody to Love� (Queen)
- 淭hat What Friends Are For� (Deniece Williams)
- 淢aking All Our Dreams Come True� (Cyndi Grecco)
- 淪illy Love Songs� (Wings)
- 淪till Crazy After All These Years� (Paul Simon)
- 淒o You Know Where You檙e Going To� (Diana Ross)
- 淎fternoon Delight� (Starland Vocal Band)
- 淵ou Should be Dancing� (Bee Gees)
- 淭urn the Beat Around� (Vicki Sue Robinson)
- 淧lay That Funky Music� (Wild Cherry)
- 淗arvest for the World� (Isley Brothers)
- 淢ore than a Feeling� (Boston)
- 淒isco Inferno� (The Trammps)
- 淐razy on You� (Heart)
- 淪aturday Nite� (Earth, Wind, and Fire)
- Einstein on the Beach (Philip Glass)
- 淪ophisticated Lady� (Natalie Cole)
- 淪omething He Can Feel� (Aretha Franklin)
- 淣o Sympathy� (Peter Tosh)
- 淒isco Lady� (Johnnie Taylor)
- 淎fter the Dance� (Marvin Gaye)
- 淩ight Back Where We Started From� (Maxine Nightingale)
Audition Guidelines
Calling all 91传媒 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 1976. 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 Floydd Ricketts, 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:
-
-Billy Joel, 淣ew York State of Mind�
-Stevie Wonder, 淪ir Duke,� 淚 Wish�, 淜nocks Me Off My Feet,� and 淎s�
-
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 30: auditions due for finale vocal solos only (淣ew York State of Mind,� 淎s,� 淪ir Duke,� 淚 Wish� and 淜nocks Me Off My Feet�). Submit 1- to 2-minute audio by email.
- October 1: regular auditions due by midnight. .
- November 4: 4:00-9:30 soundchecks (15 minutes per act, TBD)
- November 5: 6:00-9:00 dress rehearsal (acts are needed only for their slot, TBD)
- November 6 and 7: Skidmania �76 performance (call time 7:15; show at 8:00)
Questions or Comments
Questions about song selection, the audition process, or anything else that on your mind: contact Floydd Ricketts.