Hitting All The Right Notes: The Tradition of Unsilent Night in New York City
If there's one thing to know about this website and the people behind it, it's that we love all facets of New York City. That means loving Jean Georges and Halal Guys in equal measure. Fifth Avenue and the Lower East Side. The Met and Mmuseumm. And when it comes to the holidays, we love over-the-top displays as well as understated celebrations. One of the more quirky and lesser known holiday traditions we enjoy in New York City is Unsilent Night.
We know what you’re thinking: Isn’t every night in New York City an Unsilent Night? Well, okay, yes. But this Unsilent Night tradition is special.
What is Unsilent Night?
If you’ve ever yearned to be part of a band or orchestra and have zero musical ability, then this is the event for you! Composer Phil Kline, who has worked with a bevy of artists, filmmakers and cultural institutions, came up with the idea for a music piece where the audience is also the performer. So back in 1992, he composed Unsilent Night, which is made up of four different tracks. He handed his friends a track each, and instructed them to play it on their boom boxes in unison. Combined the four tracks make up the full composition. Meant to be enjoyed in December, the piece has evolved into a holiday classic.
Unsilent Night has grown in reach over the years and has now been executed in 116 cities. But the event in New York City is where it all began, and the tradition contributes to a keen sense of belonging. Since Unsilent Night is open to participants of all ages, races, and religions, it’s a holiday event that unites, just as the arrangement coalesces four separate pieces of music into a single, vivid composition.
How does Unsilent Night work?
Now a tradition for more than a quarter century, Unsilent Night started out when cassette tapes were the norm. Participants would show up with boom boxes (and we like to imagine more than a few would raise them above their heads a la John Cusack in Say Anything). The larger the number of participants, the richer the sound of the composition.
Participants trek with their “instruments” from Washington Square Park to Tompkins Square Park. The walk is approximately a mile, and the composition is 45 minutes long. As they make their way across New York City, the crowd is expected to abide by pedestrian traffic laws. That means no jaywalking: everyone stops at traffic lights, and waits for the walk sign to illuminate. The pace is very manageable, and allows enough time for the entire procession to arrive and gather in Tompkins Square Park. The piece concludes with all participants present.
How do I participate in Unsilent Night?
Step one is showing up! The event usually kicks off at 6:00 pm, with participants encouraged to gather at Washington Square Park by 5:45 pm. Unsilent Night welcomes your participation no matter what level of effort you’re able to offer. You can join the pilgrimage purely as a spectator, reveling in the quirkiness of the tradition while enjoying the company of other participants. But as mentioned previously, the composition gains momentum as its intensity grows. And all you need to contribute to the rich symphony is your smartphone. So charge it up and download one of the tracks for free ahead of time, or stream them live on the night of the event. The crowd will be notified when to fire up their instruments before leaving Washington Square Park.
Interestingly, the original score is still best played on cassette as originally intended, so don’t be surprised if you see the otherwise obsolete boom box make a reappearance. You might also see passionate participants show up with sophisticated sound rigs, it’s all part of the fun. Dressing up is optional, but if the mood strikes you will find yourself in good company. Many people will proudly march while sporting holiday lights wrapped around their bodies, wreaths hanging around their necks and reindeer antlers protruding from their hats. It all adds to the merriment of the event. 'Tis the season, after all.
Conclusion
There’s something thoroughly enjoyable about joining this parade of electronic carolers, and walking in step with other New Yorkers of all backgrounds to celebrate a piece of music. The holidays can be a lonely time for many, and free community-based events like Unsilent Night can help ease it. As we walked by, some bystanders smiled while others looked befuddled. But most of them? Didn't even bat an eye. So don’t be shy! If you’d like to participate, or better yet, host your own event, you can visit Unsilent Night's website for details.
