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Conducted Improvisation is a style of music where a director (or conductor) communcates using some form of sign language with a larger group of improvising musicians while they play to create style, form, contrast, and the whole spectrum of variables that make music interesting. Many types of improvisational music employ some basic element of conducting - big bands tend to have a conductor, for example, and many jazz musicians throught the twentieth century (for example Charles Mingus) explored ways in which to steer their improvising groups while they jammed.
The Semiconductor CI system was designed in January 2005 and is still being developed. For more information and a list of our signs, click here.
Probably the biggest name in Coducted Improvisation is Butch Morris, who coined the term 'Conduction,' and has devoted his life to exploring this new style of music. You can visit his website at: www.conduction.us
In the Twin Cities, John Devine studied with Butch Morris and leads a conduction ensable called 'Imp Ork,' for Improvising Orchestra. You can contact John Devine at devinesax@gmail.com
Nick Zielinski, also in the Twin Cities, has a project called "Brenda and the Holsum Family Fiscal Planner," a modular composition from which the conductor can cue various sections while guiding the musicians using a basic set of hand signals. He describes his style of conducting as "like directing traffic." Nick has monthly recitals at Grace United Methodist Church (2501 Cleveland St., NE Minneapolis.)
Other names in conducted improvisation which I am (even) less familiar with include:
Anthony Braxton
Walter Thompson - http://www.wtosp.org/sound.html - Walter Thompson does something called 'soundpainting.'
John Zorn - Zorn has a 'gamepiece' called Cobra. a BBC review can be found here.
Frank Zappa