What does a sculpture sound like? This June, audiences will have the chance to find out as the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) transforms some of Singapore’s most beloved public artworks into music with Titan Sculptors, a one-night-only concert that celebrates four of the nation’s most influential sculptors.

Taking place on 6 June at the SCO Concert Hall, the performance is the latest instalment of the Cultural Titans series, a collaboration between the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. But rather than presenting art history as a static retrospective, Titan Sculptors invites audiences into a multisensory experience where stone, bronze and memory are translated into melody, rhythm and emotion.

At the heart of the programme are four Cultural Medallion recipients whose works have become familiar landmarks in Singapore’s cultural landscape: Ng Eng Teng, Han Sai Por, Chng Seok Tin and Chong Fah Cheong. Their sculptures, found in galleries, parks and public spaces across the island, have quietly accompanied Singapore’s growth over the decades. Through music, their stories are given a new dimension.

The evening opens with Vibrant Life, a spirited movement from composer Liu Changyuan’s symphony Light, setting the tone with an energetic portrait of Singapore’s multicultural dynamism. From there, the programme moves through works inspired by resilience, community, family and nature — themes that resonate deeply within the sculptors’ artistic practices.

One highlight is Samsui Women by SCO Composer-in-Residence Wang Chenwei, a tribute to the pioneering women labourers who helped build modern Singapore. The piece evokes the determined footsteps of these workers, whose legacy remains woven into the nation’s story.

Another emotional centrepiece is Winds of Affinity, also by Wang, performed by dizi soloists Lee Jun Cheng and Ng Wei Xuan. The composition is paired with Ng Eng Teng’s iconic Mother and Child sculpture outside the National Gallery Singapore, drawing parallels between music and sculpture through themes of love, care and human connection.

Nature takes centre stage in Symphonic Floras by Singaporean composer Phang Kok Jun. Inspired by Han Sai Por’s organic forms and environmental concerns, the work mirrors the resilience of tropical flora that continues to flourish despite changing landscapes and challenges.

The programme also pays tribute to the late Chng Seok Tin through Compassion by Luo Maishuo. Created during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the piece reflects tenderness and perseverance — qualities that defined Chng’s own artistic journey after she lost her sight yet continued to create groundbreaking work.

A special highlight of the evening is the world premiere of First Generation by Singaporean composer Koh Cheng Jin. Commissioned specifically for Titan Sculptors with support from Mapletree, the work draws inspiration from Chong Fah Cheong’s beloved sculpture of boys diving into the Singapore River. Incorporating familiar childhood songs such as Singapura, Sunny Island and The More We Get Together, the composition promises a nostalgic journey back to Singapore’s kampung days.

The concert concludes with excerpts from Tan Dun’s celebrated Crouching Tiger Concerto, featuring gaohu soloist Zhou Ruoyu. The dramatic finale serves as a reminder of Singapore’s vibrant arts scene — one that continues to evolve while honouring the creative pioneers who shaped it.

More than a concert, Titan Sculptors offers a rare opportunity to experience Singapore’s artistic heritage through a different lens. By placing sculpture and music in conversation, the programme explores how public art preserves collective memory, and how those memories can continue to inspire new forms of expression.

For anyone interested in Singapore’s cultural story — whether through visual art, music or the spaces that define everyday life — Titan Sculptors promises an evening where familiar landmarks are heard, rather than simply seen.

Titan Sculptors plays on 6th June 2026 at SCO Concert Hall, Level 3. Tickets and more information available here

Cultural Extravaganza 2026 runs from 7th May to 7th June 2026 at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. More information and tickets available here