Students must complete 1 credit of Fine Arts in order to earn a high school diploma. This can be earned through Performing or Visual Arts. Courses taken beyond 1 credit will be counted as electives toward meeting graduation requirements. Below is a printable list of courses available at WCHS.
For a description of each course, please see the links below and expand the course for more information.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $65.00
Have you always wanted to learn a new instrument, or explore a potential new talent? Students in Introduction to Instrumental Music will spend a full year learning the foundations of a wind instrument (flute, clarinet, trumpet, or trombone). Students are eligible to join other WCHS bands after completing Introduction to Instrumental Music.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn about the course.
Course Fee $65.00
The West Clermont band program is one of the largest concert band programs in Cincinnati. Students are placed each year in an ensemble that is most appropriate for their development: Concert Band, Symphonic Band I and Symphonic Band II. Bands will perform a minimum of 4 concerts after school throughout the year. The primary focus of the concert band is to provide students with a positively life-changing experience through the practice and performance of music. Students will develop and refine instrument playing fundamentals and build ensemble playing skills. Students who participate in concert band are able to participate in a variety of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities such as marching band, jazz band, pep band and percussion ensemble.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn about the course.
Course Fee $40.00
West Clermont jazz band is a traditional style jazz ensemble comprised of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section (guitar, bass, drums). This course will regularly meet after school to learn and perform various styles of music such as jazz, swing, bebop, etc. Students will learn how to improvise. Students will perform concerts throughout the year.
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Course Fee $250.00
The West Clermont Marching Band is the largest co-curricular activity at WCHS. All musicians must be enrolled in a concert band. Attendance at band camp in August is mandatory. Students enrolled in at least two years of marching band can also earn exemption from the WCHS physical education requirement. The marching band will meet regularly after school for rehearsal, perform at home football games, and selected competitions in the region.
Click here to meet the choir director and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $40.00
Advanced Concert Choir is a year-long performance-based course that teaches vocal music technique in a group setting and is open to students in grades 10-12 by audition or teacher recommendation. The Advanced Concert Choir curriculum covers ensemble performances, singing technique, vocal quality, intonation, note-reading and sight-singing skills, musicianship, group cohesiveness, self-confidence, and music history and appreciation—all taught while learning choral literature that is at a greater degree of difficulty than the other choruses. Advanced Concert Choir is a co-curricular class, meaning that participation in some activities outside of the normal class period or the traditional school day is an important component of the course. Evening and weekend performances are a required part of the class.
Click here to meet the choir director and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $250.00
Alpha is a select vocal music ensemble that places community engagement and high musical standards at the forefront of its mission. Alpha rehearses and performs primarily contemporary a cappella music. They also take part in ICHSA competition. Students must audition to be selected into the group. Audition dates are posted each spring. Alpha does not take the place of traditional vocal music instruction, therefore, students are required to be enrolled in another vocal music course in order to participate in Alpha. Exceptions to this requirement must be cleared in advance with the director. The class meets one day a week after school from 3:15-5:15. In addition, students in Alpha participate in one week of summer camp and a weekend workshop in the fall or spring. Additional after school or weekend rehearsals may be scheduled as needed. Evening or weekend performances are a required part of the class.
Click here to meet the choir director and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $40.00
Concert Choir is a year-long course that teaches vocal music technique in a group setting and is open to students in grades 9-12 with teacher permission, audition, or prerequisite coursework. The Concert Choir curriculum covers singing technique, vocal quality, intonation, note-reading and sight-singing skills, musicianship, group cohesiveness, self-confidence, and music history and appreciation—all taught while learning choral literature that is at a greater degree of difficulty than Mixed Chorus. Concert Choir is a co-curricular class, meaning that participation in some activities outside of the normal class period or the traditional school day is an important component of the course. Evening or weekend performances are a required part of the class.
Click here to meet the choir director and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $40.00
Mixed Chorus is a beginning-level choir for all students who want to learn how to sing in a group setting and develop their voices. It is a year-long course and it’s open to all incoming freshman as well as students in grades 9-12 who have not taken a vocal music class before at the high school level. Successful completion of Mixed Chorus is a prerequisite for Concert Choir. The Mixed Chorus curriculum covers the introduction of basic singing technique, vocal quality, intonation, note-reading, sight-singing and musicianship, as well as group cohesiveness, self-confidence, and music history and appreciation. Mixed Chorus is a co-curricular class, meaning that participation in some activities outside of the normal class period or the traditional school day is an important component of the course. Evening or weekend performances are a required part of the class.
Click here to meet the choir director and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $40.00
This Soprano and Alto choir will sing music of various genres. Soprano/Alto-specific vocal techniques will be discussed and applied. Concerts will be with all choirs throughout the year. The Treble Ensemble curriculum covers the introduction of singing technique, vocal quality, intonation, note-reading, sight-singing and musicianship, as well as group cohesiveness, self-confidence, and music history and appreciation. Treble Ensemble is a co-curricular class, meaning that participation in some activities outside of the normal class period or the traditional school day is an important component of the course. Evening or weekend performances are a required part of the class.
Click here to meet the choir director and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $40.00
Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a select year-long performance-based course that teaches vocal music technique in a group setting and is open to students in grades 9-12 by audition or teacher recommendation. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble curriculum covers ensemble performances, singing technique, vocal quality, intonation, note-reading and sight-singing skills, musicianship, group cohesiveness, self-confidence, and music history and appreciation—all taught while learning Jazz literature that is at a greater degree of difficulty than the other choral ensembles. Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a co-curricular class, meaning that participation in some activities outside of the normal class period or the traditional school day is an important component of the course. Evening or weekend performances are a required part of the class.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $50.00
Music Theory is a semester-long course devoted to teaching students the inner workings of music. Anyone interested in learning more about the composition process and analysis of music is welcome. However, the core ideal of the class is to prepare young musicians for college level music theory coursework. Students will learn notation, harmony, intervalic studies, and the analysis of music, as well as composing music using a variety of methods. Ability to take the AP exam will be possible with extra study outside of class required.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about the course.
Course Fee $40.00
This course provides students with the opportunity to learn musical skills and repertoire through piano performance. The course is offered in a group setting. Students are expected to learn to read and perform music at a reasonable, developmentally appropriate rate.
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Course Fee $40.00
This course provides students with the opportunity to continue and expand their musical skill development and repertoire learned in Piano I. The course is offered in a group setting. The students are expected to learn to read and perform music at a more advanced rate.
Prerequisite: None
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Course Fee $25.00
Introduction to Dance is a beginning-level class for all students who are interested in learning about dance and learning beginning dance technique in ballet, jazz and modern dance. The class will address basic body anatomy and kinesiology, dance history, proper etiquette and rules of dance class, stretching and conditioning, foundational movements and physical vocabulary of ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Students will also learn dance improvisation and beginning choreography tools and structure in order to create their own dances. Active participation and group collaboration are required for this course.
On movement days, students will be expected to dress out, into the appropriate clothing which can be a t-shirt or long sleeve t-shirt, leggings, sweat pants, or athletic shorts (past fingertips) and socks. Ballet shoes are not required, but highly recommended.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $25.00
Dance I is a class designed for students who have prior dance experience and those students who have taken Intro to Dance and want to continue their dance journey. This course will give students the opportunity to enrich their kinesthetic awareness, improve their technique and build their dance vocabulary in ballet, jazz, and modern as well as continuing to learn anatomy of the human body, fitness principles, the history of dance, improv, choreography creation and retention, and dance production. This class will follow the actual format of each dance genre when technique class is taught and proper dance etiquette is expected. Students will be dancing the majority of the days. Students will not be graded on their ability, but on participation, effort, growth, weekly journals, quizzes, written reflections and group work. Active participation, group collaboration and in class performing are requirements.
Students will be expected to dress out on each day, into the appropriate clothing including leotard and tights, or leggings, athletic shorts or pants, and a short sleeve or long sleeve t-shirt that follows school dress code. Skin tone Ballet shoes are required for this class. Jazz shoes are optional, but highly recommended.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $25.00
Dance II is a progression of Dance I and for those students with prior and/or current dance studio training. This is an intermediate level dance class. It is expected that students in Dance II understand proper dance class etiquette. This year-long course is designed to build upon the basic technique and vocabulary gained in Dance I or previous experience. Ballet class will focus on building barre vocabulary, alignment, body placement, use of turn out, petite/ grande allegro vocabulary and a variety of turns. Jazz class will focus on a variety of styles, progressions across the floor, and short combinations. Modern class will focus on building the basic technique, increasing strength and control, and progressions across the floor. Throughout the year, students will gain a greater understanding of the roots of each technique, kinesiology, learn how to observe, analyze and describe a dance from a technical and artistic aspect, learn about cultural dance, personal health and injury prevention, and build upon improvisational and choreographic techniques. Students will not be graded on their ability, but on participation, effort, growth, quizzes, written reflections, weekly journals and group work.
Students are required to have proper dance attire and will be expected to dress out every class. The minimum requirements are as follows: Solid color leotard, skin tone tights or ballet shoes and jazz shoes. OR Plain black bike shorts, black leggings or tapered sweatpants, Solid color t-shirt, Black ballet shoes, Black jazz shoes.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $25.00
Dance III is a year-long course designed to refine and grow the techniques and vocabulary of jazz, ballet, modern, and tap. This is an advanced level dance class. It is expected that students in Dance III understand proper dance class etiquette. Students will dive deeper into how dance works are related to themes and issues of historical, global and social context. Kinesiology, wellness and injury prevention will continue to be addressed in relation to the dance training. Tap dancing will be introduced as part of their dance training. Dancers will continue to explore more choreographic and improvisational techniques. Students will also have a chance to design curriculum for their peers and teach a class. Students will not be graded on their ability, but on participation, effort, growth, quizzes, written reflections and group work.
Students are required to have proper dance attire and will be expected to dress out every class. The minimum requirements are as follows: Solid color leotard, skin tone tights or ballet shoes and jazz shoes. OR Plain black bike shorts, black leggings or tapered sweatpants, Solid color t-shirt, Black ballet shoes, Black jazz shoes. *Tap shoes are required
If the dress requirements are a concern for you, please contact the teacher directly.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $25.00
Dance IV is a year-long course designed for Senior students who have taken Dance I or higher. It is expected that students in Dance IV understand proper dance class etiquette. Refinement of the techniques of ballet, jazz, modern and tap will be addressed along with further exploration of choreography and performance skills. Development of interpretive skills, enhancement of styles and performance qualities will be heightened with peer and teacher coaching. Students will learn about and apply the technical and organizational aspects that go into a performance. In the second semester, Seniors will work on a culminating project. This will be a collaborative project where students will create and choreograph a multi-movement piece that will be performed in the Senior showcase in the spring.
Students are required to have proper dance attire and will be expected to dress out every class. The minimum requirements are as follows: Solid color leotard, skin tone tights or ballet shoes and jazz shoes. OR Plain black bike shorts, black leggings or tapered sweatpants, Solid color t-shirt, Black ballet shoes, Black jazz shoes. *Tap shoes are required
If the dress requirements are a concern for you, please contact the teacher directly.
The Pointe/Partnering class is a multi-level Ballet focused class for those dancers who want to improve and build their ballet vocabulary, technique, strength, stamina and eventually go en pointe and learn basic partnering techniques in both classical and contemporary Ballet styles. Through specific exercises that target strengthening feet, ankles, calves, rotators, core and proper alignment, dancers will prepare their body for safe dancing en pointe. Through learning about different aspects of a variety of Ballet’s: Storyline, structure, choreographers, style, dancers will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Ballet. Dancers will also learn variation repertoire. This is recommended as a supplemental class in addition to Intro to Dance, DanceI, II, III, or IV, but can be taken independently. Although offered as a .5 credit, students may take both semesters as different variations will be taught.
Leotard, tights and ballet shoes are required for this class. If a student has pointe shoes from previous years or dances en pointe at their dance studio, dancers may bring their shoes. If a student has not been given permission to go en pointe before the start of the school year, each dancer will be assessed throughout the course and given permission from the teacher to get pointe shoes once deemed ready.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $20.00
Theatre I is an intro level course for any student interested in either the performance or tech side of theatre/drama.
In this course, we will safely expand our comfort zones, play a variety of games, and build friendships and valuable skills. We will learn what the term "theatre" encompasses including the basics of acting, script analysis, history, and an overview of technical theatre.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $20.00
Theatre II is a continuation of Theatre I for those who want to dive deeper. In this course, we will expand on our theatre skills and knowledge through lessons, games, and activities. We will cover more in-depth theatre history, intermediate-acting techniques, both classic and contemporary plays/musicals, and other theatrical practices.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $20.00
Theatre III/IV is a continuation of Theatre II for those who are ready for more advanced knowledge and training. This course can be taken twice. In this course, we will expand on our theatre skills and knowledge through lessons, games, projects, and activities. We will cover advanced acting techniques, practice deep analysis of both classic and contemporary plays/musicals, and explore alternative theatrical styles and practices.
Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.
Course Fee $20.00
Stagecraft is recommended to those with previous theatre experience and an interest in the technical side of live performance.
In this course, we will learn the nuts and bolts (get it?) of technical theatre including construction, lighting, sound, stage management, etc. We will put our knowledge to good use by working on the current theatre production and practicing hands-on skills. Parental permission to use power tools (under supervision) will be required for this course.
