What does it mean to be Singaporean? 🤔

Is it our lah-nguage? Our favourite pastime – complaining? Or what seems to be a universal love for good food🤤?

In celebration of our island nation’s 60th birthday, join us as we uncover different facets of the Singapore identity through song.
Enjoy a fun afternoon learning about (and singing 🎶) two meaningful tunes, with other light-hearted, engaging activities added into the mix!

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, 2 Aug 2025
  • Time: 3 – 6 pm
  • Venue: SMOL PLQ Parkside

Introduction

This initiative was the Sing Men’s Chorus (SMC) first workshop designed to engage the public through the songs that we sing. More than just a singing session, this workshop was a celebration of the enduring Singaporean spirit, designed to connect people through the power of music and shared national values.

The Songs: Our Past and Our Road Ahead

We selected two iconic Singapore songs that resonate deeply across generations:

  • ‘Orang Singapura‘: A timeless classic that reflects the founding principles of our nation. Composed by Zubir Said, it reinforces core values like unity in diversity, hard work, determination, loyalty, and patriotism. Singing this piece encourages reflection on the challenges our pioneers overcame and the importance of multiracial harmony and collective effort. (The arrangement we sang was by our Choral Director, Gregory Chen.)
  • ‘The Road Ahead‘: A contemporary anthem that captures the spirit of perseverance and collective strength. Originally composed for National Day 2021, it emphasizes unity, resilience during uncertain times, and optimism for Singapore’s future growth. (The version we sang was arranged by our long-time choir member and section leader, Nizam.)

By pairing a cherished classic with a modern anthem, this musical journey bridged Singapore’s past, present, and future.

Reflections from the Songs

The workshop experience was crafted to offer significant personal and communal insights through learning the lyrics and making music together as a group:

  • A Deeper Sense of Belonging: Participants connected with fellow Singaporeans through a shared celebration of our nation’s musical heritage, deepening their sense of belonging as these songs reflect our shared values, history, and collective experiences.
  • Fostering Connections: Participants engaged in meaningful interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering camaraderie, strengthening social bonds, and cultivating a deeper appreciation for our multicultural identity. The communal process of singing together inspires care and consideration for others in the community.
  • Be a Contributor: Participants created a final video that serves as a digital keepsake, contributing to our shared cultural tapestry, inspiring future community participation, and reinforcing the importance of staying united, resilient, and compassionate.

Partner With Us

The choir welcomes any organisations or partners who would like to use choral singing to engage and reflect meaningfully, such as what it means to be an “Orang Singapura” or how singing can promote wellness and human connections.

For more information on running similar workshops, please write in to enquiries@singmc.org.

Acknowledgment

This project was made possible with funding from Our Singapore Fund (Community).