Jeffrey Pando is currently the Perth Amboy High School Choral Director. He directs the South Campus Freshman Concert Choir, Main Campus Chorale, Advanced Choir and Honors Voice Studio ; in addition to the after school ensembles, the PAHS Show Choir, Gospel Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Under his direction, his vocal ensembles have received multiple Superior and Excellent awards, including Best Overall Choir and Best Overall Soloist. Students in his Voice Studio Class have participated in the CJMEA Region II & NJMEA State Mixed & Treble Choruses alike; in addition to both Region & All State NJAJE Jazz Choirs. He also teaches Pre-AP Music and has overseen Music Theory, Music Technology, Keyboarding, Freshman Band and Intro to Music: A self-contained music program.
Born to a Honduran mother and Ecuadorian father, Jeffrey is a Hightstown, NJ native who has received multiple degrees and certifications that include: An Associate in Science Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences- Jazz Music Concentration from Mercer County Community College (2012), Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with an Instrumental Concentration (Saxophone) & Masters of Art in Teaching with a Dual Certification Concentration from Montclair State University (2015/2016)
Although his primary concentration was instrumental music in college and has worked with marching bands for both Fair Lawn & Perth Amboy High Schools, his love for conducting choirs and performing as a bass-baritone has grown over the years; allowing him to be an ambitious and eager educator and learner of the Vocal Arts.
Jeffrey has performed with the Montclair State University Singers under the direction of Dr. Heather Buchanan at Alexander Kasser Theatre, NJPAC with NJSO, Richardson Auditorium in Princeton University, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and has done a performance tour with the Ensemble in Italy. Jeffrey continues to perform as a church vocalist and saxophonist for various congregations throughout the year in NJ
Between 2020 & 2024, He took over the role of Vocal Director for the PAHS Theatre Department's Musicals. His musical experience include Music Director for Mean Girls, Into the Woods, Freaky Friday, Footloose, Wizard of Oz Junior and pit musician for college productions of: The Wedding Singer and Shrek to name a few. For the inaugural 2023 Carteret Marquee Awards, he won Best Music Direction for his work in "Into the Woods"
Photo taken by Photographer Frank Yee
The Freshman Concert Choir is an ensemble class that features students from PAHS Freshman Academy . These students learn beginner-intermediate choral repertoire; learning not only music fundamentals such as notation but also understanding how to work together through the medium of vocal singing.
The PAHS Chorale a combined ensemble class consisting of 10-12th grade students enrolled in Concert Choir & Advanced Choir. Students, typically first and second year members, sing a wide variety of styles, difficulty & languages, which have included: English, Spanish, Latin & Swahili to name a few. Students who continue to take this course will further their understanding of choral singing and performance, while those that are new, will be welcomed and helped by all of the members of the choir to make their choral experience exceptional. Members of this choir perform regularly through in-school performances, university workshops and competition.
The PAHS Advanced Choir is an ensemble class consisting of third and fourth year choir members. Although most music is aligned with that of
the PAHS Chorale, It is designed to give experienced choral singers the opportunity to improve their skills while working on challenging choral literature in a broad range of styles . Members of this choir perform regularly through in-school performances, university workshops and competition.
Honors Voice Studio, also known as the PAHS Chamber Choir, is an audition based class that comprises of students wanting to learn about solo singing. Students learn many different styles of solo music, which includes but not limited to English & Italian Arias, German Lieders, Spanish Art Songs, Jazz and Musical Theatre. Students enrolled in this class perform regularly at in and out of school events such as assemblies and university workshops..
The PAHS Show Choir is an auditioned ensemble that comprises mostly of students that are interested in contemporary, popular, or jazz styles of music. Auditions are held the second week of school in September. This group rehearses after school, once a week. Members of this choir perform regularly through in-school performances, university workshops and competition, as well as community based performances.
"Las Claves de Sol" also known as the PAHS Treble Choir, is a smaller vocal group comprised of only Sopranos & Altos from the auditioned
PAHS Show Choir . Students part of this ensemble sing a variety of vocal literature reflecting the best in music written or arranged for treble voices. This group rehearses after school in conjunction with the PAHS Show Choir and perform regularly through in-school performances and showcases.
"Back 2 Bassics" , also known as, the PAHS Bass Choir, a smaller vocal group comprised of only Tenors & Basses from the auditioned
PAHS Show Choir. This ensemble sing a variety of vocal literature reflecting the best in music written or arranged for Bass voices. This group rehearses after school in conjunction with the PAHS Show Choir and perform regularly through in-school performances and showcases.
The PAHS Gospel Choir, Jubilant Voices, is an auditioned ensemble that comprises mostly of students that are interested in African American spirituals and gospel styles of music. Auditions are held the second week of school in September. This group rehearses after school in the early evening, once a week. Members of this choir perform regularly through in-school performances, university workshops and competition, as well as community based performances.
The PAHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble comprises of vocal and instrumental students alike that are interested in Jazz music. Students collaborate on group and solo arrangements of vocal standards, develop singing techniques, learn about different song forms, and are introduced to improvisation, reading music and lead-sheets. Members of this ensemble perform regularly through in-school performances,competition, as well as community based performances.