Talisman was founded in 1990 in an effort to bring light to underrepresented music and stories on campus. Since then, we have performed at several Bay Area Schools, toured in communities in California, the East Coast, the American Southwest, and the Southern United States and embarked on five tours in South Africa where we have cultivated lasting relationships with several communities and organizations such as the Amy Biehl Foundation. In South Africa, we also have had the privilege to do workshops with The Soweto Gospel Choir and Johannesburg’s legendary Imilonji Kantu Choral Society.
We have collaborated with local groups such as An Oakland Storyteller, various Bay Area community gospel choirs, Stanford Taiko, and numerous other Stanford student groups, as well as famous artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Joan Baez, Seal and Vusi Mahlasela. Talisman has also formed a strong bond with minority artists who have shared and demonstrated their remarkable talents on Talisman albums. Artists and their works have included: Paul Nzalamba ("And the Sun Came"), Stanley Bernard Hoyes (“Spiritual Climax”), and Samual Akainyah (“From Whence We Came”).
In addition, we have had the honor of performing at the Hollywood Bowl, the White House, and the 1996 Olympics, as well as for distinguished guest such as Oprah, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Bill and Melinda Gates. Talisman has garnered international acclaim winning the 1997 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, as well as being recognized by CARA in 2004, winning "Mixed-Group Album of the Year" for Watch Me Fly.
We appreciate the great challenge of responsibly engaging with the genuine roots of the songs we sing and are committed to bringing these songs to life as best as our abilities allow. We also feel that the music asks us not only to perform it for the sake of performance but to use it as a means both to grow as individuals and to share meaningful experiences with our audiences and collaborators. We find that no matter where or with whom we share the music, there is a great deal to learn from our interactions as we all experience the inspiration borne of human struggle and triumph.
We have collaborated with local groups such as An Oakland Storyteller, various Bay Area community gospel choirs, Stanford Taiko, and numerous other Stanford student groups, as well as famous artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Joan Baez, Seal and Vusi Mahlasela. Talisman has also formed a strong bond with minority artists who have shared and demonstrated their remarkable talents on Talisman albums. Artists and their works have included: Paul Nzalamba ("And the Sun Came"), Stanley Bernard Hoyes (“Spiritual Climax”), and Samual Akainyah (“From Whence We Came”).
In addition, we have had the honor of performing at the Hollywood Bowl, the White House, and the 1996 Olympics, as well as for distinguished guest such as Oprah, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Bill and Melinda Gates. Talisman has garnered international acclaim winning the 1997 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, as well as being recognized by CARA in 2004, winning "Mixed-Group Album of the Year" for Watch Me Fly.
We appreciate the great challenge of responsibly engaging with the genuine roots of the songs we sing and are committed to bringing these songs to life as best as our abilities allow. We also feel that the music asks us not only to perform it for the sake of performance but to use it as a means both to grow as individuals and to share meaningful experiences with our audiences and collaborators. We find that no matter where or with whom we share the music, there is a great deal to learn from our interactions as we all experience the inspiration borne of human struggle and triumph.
Repertoire
*There are a select few songs that remain constant in our set year after year. These songs have been within the group for many generations and are highly requested for various events.
OUR SONGS
OUR SONGS
- A La Na Nita Nana
- Achi
- Akanamandla
- Akekho
- Akwaba
- Amabhongo
- Amazing Grace*
- Anina Jiame
- Arirang
- Asimbonanga/Biko
- Atom Bomb
- Avulekile Amasango*
- Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon
- Baba Yetu
- Baba Yetu (Civ IV)
- Babethandaza*
- Back To Life
- Bayan Ko
- Be Like Him
- Before This Time
- Belgo
- Berta, Berta
- Beulah
- Blackfeet Cheyenne Prayer
- By the Rivers of Babylon
- Canción Mixteca
- Chant of the Islands
- Cherokee Morning Song
- Circle Chant
- Covenant
- Dahil Sa Iyo
- Deep River
- Denko
- Dil Diyan Gallan
- Don't Worry, Be Happy
- Down the Line
- Dubala
- Duerme Pueblo Mío
- E Hatta
- Eyes On The Prize
- Famine Song
- Fifa
- Free
- Frekoba
- Futzula Bantwana
- Glory, Glory
- Go Tell it on the Mountain
- Going Home
- Grasslands Chant
- Hallelujah
- Hard Times
- Hawai'i 78
- Hombe
- Homeless
- Human
- If We Ever
- Ikhaya Lamaqhawe
- Indodana
- Intonga: Jikele Maweni
- Kote Don
- Kaval Sviri
- Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
- Keep Your Lamps
- Kganna Koloi
- Kube
- Lahlumlenze
- Lean On Me
- Lift Every Voice and Sing*
- Light at the End of the Tunnel
- Loloye
- Magalenha
- Majhi
- Makh Jchi
- Marabini
- Martu Dream Song
- Mary Had a Baby
- Matthew
- MLK
- Modimo*
- Motherless
- Movin' On Up
- My Soul Worships You
- N'kosi Sikelel' Africa
- Ndafara
- Ndiredi
- Nelson Mandela
- No Mirrors
- No More, My Lord
- Nobody knows the trouble I see
- Oh Freedom
- Ohureo
- On Children
- Open to Receive/Yes
- Pata Pata
- Paycheck
- Pearls
- Po Polju
- Prayer of the Children
- Rafiki
- Sechaba
- Senzenina
- Shadowland
- Sharanu Ninnage
- Shirt of Lace
- Shosholoza*
- Shut De' Do
- Sinnerman
- Sinolele Baba
- Siqomi Kwazulu
- Siyaya eJerusalema
- Skibbereen
- Solid As A Rock
- Sombawo
- Something Within Me
- Soon Ah Will Be Done
- Soweto Blues
- Stimela
- Strange Fruit
- Sum'Bulala
- Summertime
- Swing Low
- Tai Yang
- Tell My Feet
- The Lion Sleeps Tonight
- The Rainmaker
- Thina Sonke
- This Little Light of Mine
- Transformation
- Tshona Malanga
- Tumba
- View That Holy City
- Wahjeeleh-Yihm
- Wanting Memories*
- Watch Me Fly
- Way Beyond the Blue
- We Shall Overcome
- When I Die Tomorrow
- Woza Mfana
- Xuticutli
- You're Love is Lifting Me Higher and Higher
- Zombie Jamboree
- Zulu Seliyaduma
