Unsilent NIght

Electronic Composer Phil Kline to Perform
"Unsilent Night" in Middlesbrough 12 December 2004
NYC’s Premiere Outdoor Holiday Boombox Concert comes to the UK

Middlesbrough Sunday 12 December 2004 at 4 pm — New York-based composer and musician Phil Kline will perform "Unsilent Night," his uniquely participatory outdoor ambient music event for an infinite number of boomboxes/CD/cassette players, in Middlesbrough on December 12, 2004, beginning at 4 PM.

Cited as "brilliant" by the New York Times, "Unsilent Night" can be compared to a Christmas-caroling party — except that participants don’t sing. Rather, they carry boomboxes, each playing a separate tape or CD that becomes part of the piece. In effect, Kline and his volunteer co-performers become single elements in a block-long stereo system.
When performed in the confines of a city, "Unsilent Night" reverberates off the buildings and streets, resulting in a drifting cloud of shimmering sound. The 50-minute piece includes chiming bells, choral voices, and various electronic effects. Kline cites composers Brian Eno and Charles Ives among his influences.

Kline has performed "Unsilent Night" in New York since 1992. Last year’s performance drew more than 500 participants. In recent years, he has added other cities — Philadelphia, San Diego, Atlanta, Vancouver, B.C. — to his roster.

Kline’s December 12 performance will be a first for Middlesbrough and a first for the UK. Those interested in participating are invited to bring a boombox to outside Dr Brown’s on Corporation Road gathering at 3.45 PM.

Please register in advance with Judith Croft on 01642 729137 or judith_croft@middlesbrough.gov.uk. After Kline distributes tapes to the players, the group will begin the piece, strolling a mile-long, pre-determined route through the central area of Middlesbrough, ending up at the Christmas tree and spectra-txt. The event is free, and will be held rain or shine.

For more information, contact Judith Croft on 01642 729137 or judith_croft@middlesbrough.gov.uk