Image of Fred Ho (left) and the Afro-Asian Music Ensemble. “Asian American Students in Action: Play, Review, Bibliography (Fred Ho), 1991.” Asian Americans Students in Action Records. Box 1. Williams College Archives and Special Collections.
Fred Ho (1957-2014) was a Chinese American composer, writer, baritone saxophonist, performer, and social activist. Feeling a lack of racial and cultural diversity in the music community, he founded the Afro-Asian Music Ensemble in 1982 and Asian American Art Ensemble in 1983, exposing people to new American music. He was also interested Native Hawaiian music and culture, Japanese American immigrant labor songs, and Korean folk music and opera, and collaborated with Afro and Latino American artists to discuss the struggles of people of color in America.
Newspaper article published in July 1988 describing the life and struggles of Fred Ho (formerly Houn) and his passion for music. “Asian American Students in Action: Play, Review, Bibliography (Fred Ho), 1991.” Asian Americans Students in Action Records. Box 1. Williams College Archives and Special Collections.
Some of his most popular works include a bilingual opera: “A Chinaman’s Chance,” a musical theater work: “A Song for Manong,” and an Afro-Asian ballet: “Journey Beyond the West: The New Adventures of the Monkey King Where No White Man Has Gone Before!”
He hosted guest lectures and speeches at various colleges including Harvard, Stanford, and Williams College to discuss the Asian American experience.
– Nikki Lee
Re(model)ing Minority pamphlet created by Williams College Asian American Students in Action (AASiA) from April-May 1993. Fred Ho came to Williams College as a guest speaker to discuss Asian-American empowerment. “Asian American Students (Orgs, Events).” Asian American Students in Action Records. MC 227, Box 1. Williams College Archives and Special Collections.