Hear something you’ve never heard before
And, more importantly, that you’ll never hear again. With all the festival’s music being made up on the spot – by the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra and guest musicians – every performance across the weekend is a unique, unrepeatable experience, somewhere between free jazz and cutting-edge experimentalism.

Check out another side to Ilan Volkov
He’s the driving force behind Glasgow’s experimental Tectonics weekend, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra’s music director, and also the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s principal guest conductor. And he’s also a mean improviser and composer: at GIOFest he’ll be making things up with pianist and singer Maya Dunietz, and also unveiling a new piece he’s put together for the full forces of the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra.

Catch some provocative visiting improvisers under one roof
From Edinburgh-based feminist improviser Maggie Nicols to Norwegian free jazz quartet Lemur to US percussionist and maker-upper Gino Robair, it’s the place to sample a range of ways to get spontaneous with music.

Get your kids involved
There’s no reason why the little ones shouldn’t make up some music. Instruments are supplied at a free GIOFest improvisation workshop for two to seven-year-olds, and no previous experience is necessary (just as well) for them to try out making sounds together.

Get yourself involved
Anyone is welcome at GIOFest’s Community Open Workshop led by composer and conductor Steve Beresford; just bring along an instrument (or simply your voice), or choose from percussion instruments available on the day and get improvising.

GIOFest VII, Thu 27–Sat 29 Nov, CCA, Glasgow.