The Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra have been expanding and developing their music since 2002 through varied collaborations and projects. Throughout this period of growth the abiding concern of the band has been to explore improvisation in a large group context. This can take many forms and GIO is committed to exploring all possibilities including, for example, graphic scores, conduction techniques, conventional and non conventional notation etc.
One area of particular focus is completely free large ensemble improvisations. There is significant debate within the improvisation community as to whether large ensembles can effectively play improvised music that is completely free i.e. has no preconceived structure or plan or conductor/leader. Indeed, many of the visiting musicians that the band worked with over the years have suggested that completely free improvisation in a band of more than nine members is futile. GIO continues to argue through performance and collaboration that this is not the case.

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