DRAMATIC TECHNIQUES - Grades 9, 10, 11, 12The Dramatic Techniques course is designed to develop the student's ability to communicate his ideas and the ideas of others through speeches, oral interpretations, and dramatic settings. Students will have the opportunity to see themselves in action through videotaping of their presentations as individuals and as part of a dramatic group.
THEATRE - Grades 9, 10, 11, 12This course serves as an explanation to multiple concepts of Theatre. Students will study the history of theatre, genres, skills, and business of theatre productions. The course is ½ credit and fulfills part of the Fine Arts requirement. Students will not be required to participate in school dramatic productions outside of the regularly scheduled school day.
THEATRE INTERNSHIP - Grade 12This course is offered in partnership with Cincinnati Landmark Productions. Students enrolling in this course will be working for 8 hours per day during 2 days per week through the school year. Students will work at one of the Cincinnati Landmark Productions locations which include the Incline Theater and the Covedale Theater. Students will have the opportunity to engage in a range of work involved in a theatrical production. Depending on the student’s interest he could be involved in stage craft or box office and marketing work.
A student may also begin working with the production company in the summer.
The course counts as 3 full credits. Students should request Theater Apprenticeship A, Theater Apprenticeship B, and Theater Apprenticeship C.
AP DRAWING - Grades 11, 12This course provides advanced drawing students with a higher-level art-making experience to explore problems pertaining to both realistic and abstract drawing methods. Drawing assignments are more individualized, depending on each student's strengths and weaknesses. Students will work on problems of their own choosing, with a minimum of specific assignments per quarter. The purpose is to provide students with an opportunity to earn college credit for their art portfolio that they have developed over the last 2 – 3 years. The curriculum will follow the guidelines for the Advanced Placement Art Portfolio and students in the class will enter their portfolio in May for possible college credit. Prerequisite: Foundations of Art or approval of the instructor.
FOUNDATIONS OF ART - Grade 9
Students in this course come from a variety of art backgrounds. They will be challenged to find creative and unique solutions to problems within the realm of fine art. They will work in a cooperative environment, develop responsibility, and appreciate historic and contemporary art culture. Students will explore the fundamentals of drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, and sculpture. Students will be given technical instruction in the use of various media and explore diverse approaches to artistic expression. This studio-based art course will keep creative students engaged and excited to learn throughout the year.
2D ART I - Grades 10, 11, 12This course is a concentrated study of two-dimensional art and its curriculum stresses subject matter and composition. Students will study both realistic, observational drawings as well as abstract simplification, both one and two-point perspective, and developing the illusion of light. Students will create artworks of drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and digital manipulation. Students will look at contemporary artists that address current issues to further expand their skills in art criticism, aesthetics and the language of art. Students are allowed to enroll a maximum of two times. Prerequisite: Foundations of Art or approval of instructor.
2D ART II - Grades 11, 12Building on their previous experiences in 2D Art I and with an emphasis on studio production, this course will develop higher level thinking and skill in two-dimensional art. Students will use problem-solving techniques to create works using various media, materials, techniques, and processes. Through readings, short lectures, discussions, critiques, students will study visual art, culture, and create art in a supportive environment. Prerequisite: One semester of 2D Art I.
3D Art I - Grades 10, 11, 12This course provides students with a studio experience to explore three-dimensional problems pertaining to mass, volume, texture, space, and surface media as they relate to sculptural-based works of art. Students will use but are not limited to clay, paper, wood, plaster, plastic, and “found” objects. Techniques differ according to limitations of media but include the basic ideas of subtractive/additive procedure in assembling, modeling, etc.
There is no prerequisite.
PHOTOGRAPHY - Grades 10, 11, 12
This course explores the basics of digital photography including composition, motion, light and the aesthetics of the medium. Students will investigate how photography has played an important role in communication, advertising, journalism and, most importantly, in the world of art. The course will have regular projects where students will be asked to think critically and create images that tell a story. To take the course, students must have access to a digital camera or phone. Photo-editing techniques will be done using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
AP 2D ART & DESIGN – Grades 11, 12This course provides advanced art students with a studio experience to explore two-dimensional problems pertaining to shape, form, texture, perspective, scale, and balance as they relate to sculptural-based works of art. Students will use but are not limited to graphite, paint, collage, printmaking, and digital art. Assignments will be more individualized, depending on each student's strengths and weaknesses. Students will work on problems of their own choosing, with a minimum of specific assignments per quarter with their work critiqued based in process and aesthetics. Students will be given the opportunity to earn college credit for their art portfolio that they have developed over the last 2 – 3 years. The curriculum will follow the guidelines for the Advanced Placement Art Portfolio and students in the class will enter their portfolio in May for possible college credit. Prerequisite: Foundations of Art, Photography, or approval of the instructor.
AP 3D ART & DESIGN – Grades 11, 12
This course provides advanced art students with a studio experience to explore three-dimensional problems pertaining to mass, volume, texture, space, and surface media as they relate to sculptural-based works of art. Students will use but are not limited to clay, paper, wood, plaster, plastic, and “found” objects. Techniques differ according to limitations of media but include the basic ideas of subtractive/additive procedure in assembling, building, modeling, etc. This course revolves around the process, 3D works throughout art history, art criticism, and art aesthetics. Purchases of additional supplies may be required for students’ individual projects. Students will be given the opportunity to earn college credit for their 3-D Art portfolio that they will develop throughout the year. The curriculum will follow the guidelines for the Advanced Placement 3-D Art and Design Portfolio and students in the class will enter their portfolio in May for potential college credit. Prerequisite: Foundations of Art, 3D Art I or approval of the instructor.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN - Grades 11, 12
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with knowledge of how design software is an essential tool of industry. In this computer-aided design course, students utilize problem solving techniques to create effective designs in a professional, simulated client-based environment. Students learn the fundamentals of using AutoCAD to explore both 2D and 3D space. Students will be exposed to the concept of meeting deadlines, giving design presentations and the language used in various design environments. This course is especially beneficial to students who plan to pursue a design a major/career in the following: industrial, product, automotive, architectural design.
MUSIC PRODUCTION AND BEAT MAKING - Grades 11, 12
This course teaches students the concepts of recording, sequencing, and mixing music using computer-based Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). Students will receive hands-on practice in recorded audio mixing and mastering, recording techniques, and MIDI and loop-based beat making. Students will also learn how to construct and produce music through the study of influential producers like Dr. Dre, George Martin, Quincy Jones, and others.
BEGINNING BAND - Grades 9, 10, 11, 12This course is designed to give any Elder student the opportunity to learn to play a band instrument. During beginning band class, students are taught the fundamentals and techniques of playing a concert band instrument that will enable them to become members of the Elder Band at the beginning of their next academic school year. There is no restriction regarding the choice of instrument. Students will perform two concerts, one in December and one in the spring. Beginning Band is 1 credit and fulfills the Fine Arts requirement for graduation.
BAND - Grades 9, 10, 11, 12This course is for students with prior experience playing a musical instrument. Concert band instruments are preferred: flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, bassoon, oboe, and percussion. Students with extensive training on other instruments may be permitted to join with the permission of the Band Director. The primary ensemble of band class is the concert band, but students are also encouraged to participate in other ensembles including marching band, which performs at football games and in parades; pep band, which performs at basketball games; and jazz band, which performs along with the concert band in the Performing Arts Series Productions. Band is 1 credit and fulfills the Fine Arts requirement for graduation.
HONORS BAND - Grades 11, 12 This course is intended for the serious instrumental music student who is committed to reaching the highest level of skill and technique on his band instrument. This class meets at the same time as Band, but students have additional requirements which include private lessons from a qualified teacher at least twice per month at the expense of the student, preparation and performance of an OMEA Class A solo, and auditioning for local honor ensembles. Students must score a minimum of 80 on the annual Elder Band assessment to be considered for placement in this course.
FRESHMAN CHORUS - Grade 9 This course is designed to develop not only good vocal production but also basic music reading skills and music theory knowledge. Students must be willing to function as a member of a club and with sincerity as a part of the Elder Music Department. Activities include the concerts of the annual Performing Arts Series. No prerequisites are required.
GLEE CLUB – Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
The Elder Glee Club, Elder’s Singing Ambassadors, is known throughout the Cincinnati area as an outstanding high school vocal ensemble. This is a full-credit class, open to freshmen through seniors who have sincere interest in developing lifelong vocal skills through many performance opportunities. Any questions may be directed to Mr. David Allen (
allendf@elderhs.net)