Choir with Mr. Kaleb Hilton - More information coming soon!
Grade 9
IHHS Freshmen Choir is a choral ensemble designed for high school students as a dive into the High School Choral Program. This course provides an exploration of vocal techniques, diverse choral repertoire, and performance artistry. Students will engage with complex musical compositions, refine their individual and ensemble skills, and prepare for performances.
Grades 10–12: Concert Choir
IHHS Concert Choir is a choral ensemble designed for dedicated high school students with a passion for vocal music. This course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced vocal techniques, diverse choral repertoire, and performance artistry. Students will engage with complex musical compositions, refine their individual and ensemble skills, and prepare for performances.
Grades 10–12: Premieres
IHHS Premieres is an elite choral ensemble designed for dedicated high school students with a passion for vocal music. Premieres is the ambassador ensemble of IHHS Choral Program and is the most public facing singing group on campus. This course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced vocal techniques, diverse choral repertoire, and performance artistry. Students will engage with complex musical compositions, refine their individual and ensemble skills, and prepare for high-stakes performances. There is a prerequisite audition for IHHS Premieres.
Orchestra with Mr. Boden and Ms. Emmons & Band with Mr. Barker and Mr. Rotsching
High School Concert Band
High School Concert Band is performing ensembles made up of traditional band instrumentation grades 9–12. We teach "comprehensive musicianship" through practice and performance in band. This group will focus on the development and refinement of individual and ensemble musicianship/playing skills, through the preparation of challenging and varied literature. The most effective way for students to develop an understanding and love for music is for them to be involved in the music-making process. We are learners as doers, therefore individual practice and ensemble skills are important to our overall success. There are several extracurricular opportunities available for Concert Band students to be involved in — these include Braves Marching Band, Varsity Basketball Band, Winter Musical Orchestra, and Jazz ensemble. Students are encouraged to be involved in one or more of these groups and to take private lessons.
Braves Marching Band
The Braves Marching Band provides quality entertainment and spirit promotion for football games and performs in a number of contests throughout the fall. Our active marching band season goes from August through the middle of November and does not interfere with winter and spring athletics. The BMB is made up of three very distinct and important groups:
Wind Ensemble, Percussion, Color Guard (flags and dance)
Anyone who is a student at Indian Hill can be a part of the BMB and receive a PE credit for participating for two seasons. The band department at Indian Hill is committed to the musical and physical growth of each student. By joining the band, you will meet, perform, and socialize with people of different ages, develop lasting friendships, have fun, and become associated with one of the largest, most visible and purposeful groups in the high school.
High School Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble is an extracurricular performing ensemble that rehearses after school. Standard big band instruments may participate, this includes piano, bass, drumset, and guitar. Students will need to pass an audition to be admitted. The focus of this ensemble is the performance of jazz and related styles of music.
Winter Musical Pit Orchestra
Pit Orchestra is an extracurricular performing ensemble that rehearses after school in January and February. Band and orchestra students may participate, this includes piano/synthesizer, drumset, and guitar, depending on the desired instrumentation. Students will need to pass an audition to be admitted. The focus of this ensemble is to accompany the stage performers in the winter musical.
Varsity Pep Band
Pep Band is an extracurricular performing ensemble that plays at Varsity basketball games. Any wind instrument may participate, but the group also includes keyboards, bass, drumset, and sometimes guitar. The focus of this ensemble is the performance of rock, pop, and related styles of music.
Musical Studies with Mr. Clary
Grades 9–12: Class Piano/Piano Lab
Students start at an individualized point in their piano playing ability, and then they progress at a rate that is developmentally appropriate. The class covers scales, arpeggios, chords, solo repertoire, and ensemble pieces. Students perform for the teacher and in front of each other. Students receive one-on-one instructional time on a regular basis. This course is highly individualized and may be repeated for credit.
Grades 9–12: Intro to Music Theory
Music Theory is the analytical (Math/Science), left-brained side of Music. In this course, students learn foundational principles of Music Theory including: the harmonic series, notation, time signatures, intervals, modes, major and minor scales, key signatures, and triads. Students demonstrate their mastery of these concepts through some exploration of music composition. Some background in reading music would be helpful. This course is designed to prepare students for AP Music Theory.
Grades 10–12: AP Music Theory
Prerequisite: Intro to Music Theory or strong background in musicianship
This course requires self-motivation and the higher-level thinking skills of logic and reasoning. AP Music Theory builds on the foundation from Intro to Music Theory, or students have this foundation from other experiences. Students will improve their individual musicianship as they engage in the study of composition, analysis, sight singing, and critical listening, far exceeding the expectations of traditional music performance classes. Although AP Music Theory is a non-performance course, students will benefit from a solid foundation in vocal and/or instrumental music. AP Music Theory covers the same curriculum as first year college Music majors and is highly recommended for any student considering a career in Music. Fluency in reading music (rhythms and pitches in treble clef and bass clef) is expected of those who enroll, and some experience with piano is very helpful. All students enrolled in this class are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam.
Grades 11–12: Advanced Music Theory
Prerequisite: Intro to Music Theory or strong background in musicianship
This course is designed for the truly advanced Music student who has successfully completed AP Music Theory and is likely to study Music beyond high school. Most of year two college Music Theory curriculum is covered in this course. Content includes: modulation; borrowed chords; augmented sixth chords; neapolitan chords; ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords; some study of Jazz and Pop styles, and Serial Composition. A significant component of this course is for students to utilize an advanced knowledge of Music Theory to create their own compositions.
Visual Art with Mr. Wolter
AP Art History
The AP Art History course welcomes students into the global art world to engage with its forms and content as they research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and responses to and interpretations of art. By investigating specific course content of 250 works of art characterized by diverse artistic traditions from prehistory to the present, the students develop in-depth, holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students learn and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to engage with a variety of forms, developing understanding of individual works and interconnections across history.
AP Art and Design
AP Art and Design students develop a portfolio based on the guidelines of the AP program. The portfolio may emphasize 2D design, 3D design, or drawing, involving approximately 20 works of art. The Advanced Placement Program in Art and Design is intended for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of art.
Ceramics 2 and 3
An extension of the media and technique survey that was begun in Ceramics and Sculpture. Students in Ceramics 2 and 3 work independently, focusing on graphic expression of ideas through the use of sculptural and functional ceramics. Students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, visual literacy, creativity, and a personal voice.
Visual Art with Mrs. Richardson
Graphic Design & Digital Art I
This is an introductory course to graphic design & digital art. Students will use the computer as a design tool in combination with the elements and principles of design to create aesthetically pleasing works of art. An investigation of Design Thinking along with the exploration of various software programs (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, etc.), as well as basic graphic design and layout techniques will engage students in the creation of contemporary and professional looking designs. Students will refine skills of visual literacy as critical consumers and producers of visual communication. Students will also study the works of various artists in order to gain a better understanding of digital art careers, which includes graphic design, digital illustration, computer animation, game design, etc.
Graphic Design & Digital Art II
This course builds on the fundamental skills learned in Graphic Design & Digital Art I. Creativity will be stressed as students continue to apply the elements and principles of design, graphic design and layout techniques, and Design Thinking tools in order to create aesthetically pleasing designs as a means of visual communication. Projects will be partially teacher-driven as well as student-driven as students expand upon their creative expression through the use of various software programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and the entire Adobe Creative Suite. Students will be exposed to various artists and digital art careers, such as graphic design, digital illustration, computer animation, packaging, game/character design, video/film, etc.
Photography & Printmaking I
This is an introductory course to photography & printmaking. Students will use their camera as a tool for creative expression as they learn how to take and compose aesthetically pleasing photos, utilizing compositional guidelines as well as the elements & principles of design. They will learn to develop film and print black and white photographs in the darkroom. Students will also learn how to use a digital camera and how to manipulate imagery through the use of Photoshop. In addition, students will learn the history of photography, influential photographers, and how photography has influenced culture and society. This course will also introduce students to the art of printmaking in which students will use various printmaking techniques inspired by their photographic imagery to create their own artwork.
Photography & Printmaking II
This course builds on the fundamental skills and compositional guidelines learned in Photography & Printmaking I. In this course students will be further challenged artistically and creatively to produce photographic imagery with dramatic effect, while developing the art of seeing. Students will again be exposed to famous photographers throughout history, as well as art criticism. In addition, students will learn about the history of photography and study different photography careers. Students will continue to experiment with Photoshop and other software programs, and have the opportunity to explore more film and darkroom techniques. Students will also continue to experiment with the art of printmaking while exploring a variety of experimental techniques.
Advanced Photography & Printmaking
This is an advanced course for photography & printmaking students who are ready to take creative expression to the next level. In this course, projects will be much more heavily student-driven as students decide on areas of concentration and investigation. Students will have the choice to work digitally or in the darkroom – or both. Students are encouraged to develop and show a personal style or "voice" in their artwork. Creativity and experimentation with the mediums of photography and printmaking will be heavily encouraged and expected. Photography careers, as well as artists and artistic styles throughout history will continue to be explored.
Drawing and Painting I
This is an entry-level course, preparing the student for more visual learning in advanced art classes. Students will investigate drawing and painting media while learning a variety of techniques to help them express original ideas, while developing their personal style. The ability to draw is not required; however, a positive attitude and effort are necessary to be successful. The Elements & Principles of Design, as well as composition will be emphasized. Students will explore art history as they work with both traditional and digital tools to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, visual literacy, creativity, and a personal voice.
Drawing and Painting II
Drawing and Painting II builds on the fundamental skills learned in Drawing & Painting I. In this course, students will be further challenged to express original ideas utilizing a variety of art media, techniques, subject matter, the Elements & Principles of Design, aesthetics, and experiences to develop their personal voice. Students will continue to explore art history as they use both traditional and digital tools to enrich their creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and visual literacy skills. Creativity, experimentation, flexibility, and student choice will be emphasized.
Extracurriculars
Visual Arts Club
The Visual Arts Club is an outlet for visually creative individuals in Indian Hill High School. Members are not necessarily enrolled in a visual arts class. However, this group's connecting factor is an interest in the visual arts, whether through traditional media, digital, or photographic. Activities are designed to recognize and inspire members interested in art. In addition to working on individual art goals, the club is regularly contacted to complete art-related services for the school and outside community organizations. Members are made aware of competitions and professional exhibitions in the region and share interesting techniques and ideas. Meetings are held after school each week on a day to be determined.
Visual Art with Mrs. Girdler
Ceramics I
This is an introductory course to ceramics and sculpture. Throughout this course, students will learn basic skills and a broad range of techniques and approaches as they explore the creation of space and form while utilizing the elements and principles of design. Students will learn how to create functional and decorative sculptural pieces through various methods, including pinched forms, coil, slab construction, and wheel throwing. Students will use these methods to explore ceramic ware, low-relief assemblage, carving/modeling, and mixed-media construction. During the creation process, students will learn the history and contemporary trends in ceramics and sculpture. Students will also learn surfacing decorating techniques such as sgraffito and glaze application and basic kiln operation knowledge.
Yearbook
"Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody" -Kid President This course teaches students the fundamentals of yearbook production, including photography, layout design, copywriting, and editing. Additionally, students will learn the basics of journalism and interviewing, which are essential for capturing accurate and engaging stories. Students will be responsible for attending school events and activities to give an accurate scope of the school year. Students will work collaboratively throughout the course, emphasizing teamwork and respect, to create a memorable and high-quality yearbook. Students will learn to communicate effectively and manage projects by fostering a respectful and supportive environment.
Unified Art
This course provides students of all abilities with opportunities to explore and express themselves through various art forms while accommodating individual needs. Students will explore the elements of art—such as color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value—while also incorporating lessons from art history to inspire their creations. The course will emphasize a supportive environment for creative exploration, where student mentors encourage communication and collaboration. Through personalized guidance, students will gain confidence in their artistic expression, develop a deeper understanding of art, and appreciate the diversity of creative perspectives and processes.
Digital Media with Mr. Dupps
Coming soon...
Theatre Courses with Mrs. Searle
Coming soon...
Theatre Courses with Mr. Cimini
Tech Theatre
Technical Theatre is an introductory course, which explores the backstage world of theatre. Students will investigate several areas of production and design from both a practical and a theoretical base. Students will be given the opportunity to learn about the following areas of technical theatre production:
Theatre and Shop Safety
- Scenic design fundamentals and set construction
- Use and operation of the counterweight (fly) system
- Technical aspects and basic operation of lighting technology
- Technical aspects and basic operation of sound technology
- Scenic painting
- Use of properties on stage and construction
- Theatre History
- Exploration of career opportunities in the realm of theatre
Extracurriculars
HS Fall Show with Mrs. Searle and Mr. Cimini
Coming soon...
HS Winter Musical with Mrs. Searle, Mr. Sylvester, Mr. Cimini, and Mr. Barker
Coming soon...
HS Spring Show with Mrs. Searle and Mr. Cimini
Coming soon...
Dance with Mrs. Hiler
Coming soon...