Saint Mark’s High School Welcomes New Director of Fine and Performing Arts

Saint Mark’s High School is pleased to welcome Jeff Braconnier as the new Director of Fine and Performing Arts.

Braconnier is an industry veteran, touting 14 years of experience and having directed more than 60 student theater
productions. He is the Founder and Director of the Catholic Community Choir, a community vocal and theatre program which has served thousands of students from across the Delaware Valley area including parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware since 2007. Braconnier is the former Choral Director at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania and has served as a parish youth minister, as well as a liturgical musician. He produced and directed musical entertainment for the 2015 World Meeting of Families Youth Congress and served as Master of Ceremonies for Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children for five consecutive years. In 2015, he was awarded The Community Impact Award by The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.

Braconnier has big plans for the Spartan Fine and Performing Arts program, including developing and managing a
year-round array of art shows, theatre productions, music festivals and summer camps. One of his many goals is to
integrate the local community into his FPA programs by including not only Saint Mark’s students but also local
elementary school students, alumni and partnering FPA organizations. Braconnier will also be teaching choral classes during the school day.

Principal Tom Fertal is enthusiastic about welcoming Braconnier to the Spartan staff. “Mr. Braconnier will have an
immediate and significant impact on Fine and Performing Arts Programs here at Saint Mark’s. His creativity, passion and dedication will move us swiftly towards fulfilling our goal of being the school of choice for FPA students in the region.”

Braconnier is ready to hit the ground running. “I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to join the Saint Mark’s team. I look forward to working with Mr. Fertal, Mrs. Casey, and the entire Spartan community in the continued renewal currently underway at Saint Mark’s. I cannot wait to meet the students and greater community and to get started!”