Hello! My name is Ms. Jennifer Connell, I am the Vocal Muisc and Theatre Arts Director her at Saddleback High School. I received my Bachelors in Vocal Music Education in 2005 from Eastern Michigan University and my Masters in Education from Concordia Univertsity, Portland in 2017. I've been working here at Saddleback since 2014 and prior to that was teaching in Orange Unified School District from 2006-2014. I love working at Saddleback, we are a strong Roadrunner Family and it is a joy to work with such awesome students and staff!
Below you will find a course discription for both Choir and Drama as well as links to the Google Classrooms which include a course syllabus and acess to class assignments and other course information.
Choir: Here at Saddleback we have 2 Choirs, both are Concert Level mixed men and women's voices. In these courses you will learn vocal production techniques that will allow you to reach potential as a choral and solo performer. You will learn to read music or to advance your current music reading skills. Leaders will be encouraged to develop leadership skills by helping those around them to succeed and everyone will be challenged to work as a team to bring the best performances possible for ourselves and our audiences. This is a performance based class and therefore there are mulitple outside of class concerts, festivals, assemblies and community events that will be part of your grade, where you will need to perform along with the in-class rehearsals and performing for one another. My classroom is a warm, friendly enviornment where students can feel comfortable taking safe risks, such as performing for each other in front of the class.
Choir Club: Saddleback offers a Choir Club for those students who want to improve their vocal skills, want to perform and who aren't able to fit the choir class in their schedule. The Choir Club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays during both lunches in room 612. Students can grab their lunch from the cafeteria and then come eat in the classroom and then we rehearse together. Choir Club joins the Choir Class for assembly performances, festivals, concerts, commuity events and graduation. It is a great placde to meet new friends, build vocal skills, create lasting memories and have fun! No experience is needed, everyone is welcome!
Drama: Here at Saddleback we offer Drama I (beginning) and Drama II (intermediate). In these courses you will learn basic acting skills such as tone of voice, characterization, the use of facial expressions, body language, and how to communicate effectively. You also learn staging, lighting, and costuming, as well as all of the different elements that are needed to put on a full play. We typically put on two shows a year through the drama classes and as it is a performance based class it is required as part of your grade that each student participate in some aspect of each show and be present for all rehearsals and performances. My classroom is a warm, friendly enviornment where students can feel comfortable taking safe risks, such as performing for each other in front of the class.
Drama Club: I also offer a Drama Club every Tuesday after school for those students who are not able to fit drama class into their schedule or just would love to spend more time practicing their craft with like minded students. These students also get the opportunity toi be involved in the drama shows that we put on each year.
