Band Classes (Kent Stine, Instructor) Beginning Band
This course offers instrumental music instruction on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. No prior experience is necessary. Open to grades 7–12. The Beginning Band usually performs at the Winter and Spring Band Concerts.
Intermediate Band
This ensemble offers instrumental music instruction on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students must satisfactorily complete Beginning Band and/or have director's approval to sign up for the Intermediate Band. Open to grades 7–12. The Intermediate Band performs at the Winter and Spring Concerts as well as the Western Hills and Dater High School graduation ceremonies.
Senior Band
The Senior Band is our most advanced ensemble, offering higher-level instruction on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students must satisfactorily complete Intermediate Band or have director approval. Open to grades 9–12. Senior Band encompasses Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, and other opportunities. There are many performances during the school year as well as band camp activities in the summer.
General Music Classes
Music History/Music Appreciation/General Music A comprehensive overview of the history and development of Western music starting in the middle ages and moving through the renaissance, baroque, classical and romantic periods. The course ends with an examination of modern popular music — jazz, rock, country and hip-hop. There is also particular emphasis placed on the relationship of music and composition with the people and practices in society during each historical period.
Choral Classes (Chris Zerges, Instructor) Junior Choir This course offers vocal music instruction to students in grades 7 and 8. No prior experience is necessary. The Junior Choir performs once per quarter with periodic additional performances depending on opportunity.
Senior Choir Senior Choir is our more advanced ensemble, offering higher-level instruction in music theory and vocal technique. Students must satisfactorily complete Junior Choir or have director approval. Open to grades 9–12. Senior Choir also performs once per quarter with periodic additional opportunities.
General Music Classes
Drum Set Class This class is designed for students to explore the music and arts of a variety of cultures while experiencing "hands on" opportunities to create music and interact with their peers in a musically productive environment. Classes will focus on the drumming traditions of Africa, South America and Asia as well as other cultures and contemporary drumming innovations such as are used by Stomp and are performed across the globe. This exposure will increase the students' ability to listen to music critically and make analytical observations regarding the material.
The experiential objectives will have the students developing an understanding of each culture's place for their music as well as the techniques necessary to play the instruments.
Students will also learn to read and notate music through their studies of the differing drumbeats in each culture. Finally, the students will have the opportunity to learn about and work with improvisation through their drumming as we interact in the drum-circle as a group.
Drama and Dance (Lezlie Christian — Instructor)
Drama Tech 1 & 2 These courses offer tiered instruction in acting and develop skills for public presentation. Students will learn the language of drama/theatre as it relates to stage, television and script writing. Drama Tech 1 is open to grades 7-12; no prior experience is necessary. Drama Tech 2 is open to grades 9-12 or have director approval.
Performing Arts (Advanced Acting) This course offers instruction in stage performance and productions. Students will learn to manage three 1 hour productions. They will perform in pep rallies, The Holiday Program, Black History, and the Fine Arts program. Students must satisfactorily complete Drama Tech 2 and/or have director approval to take this course
General Dance This course offers basic instruction in dance. Students will explore dance as entertainment and physical fitness. There is a focus dance history and dance companies. General Dancer is open to all students
Dance Ensemble This class offers instruction in dance technique and dance performance. The emphasis is on developing students in ballet, drill, jazz, liturgical, modern and musical theater. Dance Ensemble performs several times throughout the school year. Performances are in-house and public. Students must satisfactorily complete General Dance and/or have director approval to take this course.
Art (Jessica Bates, Devin Hatcher — Instructors)
General Art (Grades 7 & 8) Art I (Grades 9–12) Introductory to Visual Arts It incorporates the fundamentals of art-making and a basic inquiry of art history. Most projects are 2D designed-based. Principles of Drawing, Painting, relief carvings and more!
Art II Year-round studio-based-course allowing students to have guided independent projects based on their interests. We have a partnership with the Taft Museum called the ARC program (Artist Reaching Classrooms). Professional artists, who are practicing art in the Cincinnati area, come to the classroom and give insight into becoming a professional Visual artist. Whether it is murals, fashion, toy design, painting, or 3-dimensional works, students have the opportunity to talk with professional artists. In the spring, students’ art work will be selected to be professionally framed and hung inside the dining area at the Taft Museum. Students must be dedicated and selected to join this course.
Ceramics Students taking Ceramics engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and art production leading to the creation of portfolio quality works. Students will create works of art in clay utilizing the process of hand building, molds, slip, glaze techniques, firing processes, exploration of the elements and principles of art; art history; art vocabulary; and development of the student’s creative problem-solving skills.
Painting Western Hills High School painting is designed for beginners and those who have minimal painting experience. Students will learn the basics of handling tempera paint, acrylic paint and brushes. Students will explore a variety of techniques (glazing, layering, as well as other techniques). Projects to be completed include, but not limited to a self-portrait, beginner painting projects covering the fundamentals of composition, tone, and blending colors. One on one and group discussions will also touch upon concepts crucial to the creative process, including critical thinking, discipline, spontaneity, metaphor, and others. Technical demonstrations and short writing projects will complement our studio work. The goal of this course is to give students the basic tools and ideas necessary to begin their own personal painting practice.
Physical Education Course Description Physical Education (Lori Troescher, Department Chair Fine Arts/Physical Education and Electives; Christopher Bangi and Casey Thomas)
Welcome to Physical Education at Western Hills!
Physical Education classes are designed to practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life. Students will understand the benefits that regular exercise can provide for a person's mental, physical and social health.
Areas of Study:
Competency in motor skills and movement patterns.
Strategies and tactics related to performance.
Demonstrating knowledge and skills for a health-enhancing level of fitness.
Exhibiting responsible, personal, and social behavior.
