Music Partnerships

KHVIII and Spires Philharmonic Orchestra

KHVIII host the SPO for their rehearsals in the lead up to concerts and is our school's 'Orchestra in Residence'. We have collaborated on joint musical projects and are continuing to do so. Furthermore, the SPO are hosted by KHVIII every year for their annual 'Come and Play Day'. Our Head of Instrument Studies, Mr Alistair Kennedy also is leader of the Orchestra.

KHVIII and Coventry and Warwickshire Youth Orchestra

King Henry VIII School and Coventry and Warwickshire Youth Orchestra are working together to help secure the future of youth orchestra ensemble playing across Warwickshire and Coventry. The orchestra currently plays one concert a year at KHVIII. The aim of the partnership is to develop youth music for young people across Warwickshire, providing access to a Youth Orchestra and ensemble playing at a high level. Pupils who take part are aged between 13 and 18, coming from state and independent schools from across the whole of Warwickshire and the city of Coventry.  Each year CWYO performs at least one concert at KHVIII school, with planned development if the partnership to include joint events.

Chelsea Opera Group and KHVIII School

Director of Music Robin Newton, will be working with the nationally renowned Chelsea Opera Group for their upcoming performance of Mosè in Egitto by Rossini. King Henry's is privileged to have such an in-demand and qualified conductor and musician leading our music school, hence his regular appointment with numerous orchestral groups both professional and amateur.

KHVIII and Pro Corda Chamber Music Competition

KHVIII School regularly hosts rounds of the Pro Corda Music Festival for Schools at which schools from all over the country come to KHVIII to perform and play.

Warwickshire Orchestral Wind Music Ensemble

Warwickshire Orchestral Wind Music Ensemble are a local music group who rehearse regularly at King Henry VIII School. Warwick Orchestral Winds (originally the Midland Wind Orchestra) was formed in 1992. The band draws its members from all over the Midlands, giving concerts in the Warwick and Leamington Spa area. The ensemble has a deserved reputation for programming less well know works together with more traditional and well known classics from the Symphonic Wind repertoire. WOW have competed many times in the National Concert Band Festival and in 2002 gained a Gold Award in the regional heats, going on to achieve a Bronze Award at the National Finals under the baton of their then conductor John Watson.