Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 10, 1957 in Palo Alto, CA

Death

:

April 12, 2014 in Brooklyn, NY

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Fred Ho was a renowned American composer, musician, and activist who was born on August 10, 1957, in Palo Alto, California. He was the son of Chinese immigrants who had fled from the communist regime in China. Ho grew up in a multicultural environment, and his parents encouraged him to pursue his passion for music. He started playing the piano at the age of six and later learned to play the saxophone. Ho's interest in music led him to study at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he earned a degree in music composition. He then went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music, where he received a master's degree in music composition. During his time in New York, Ho became involved in the avant-garde jazz scene and began to develop his unique style of music. Ho's music was heavily influenced by his political activism and his commitment to social justice. He was a vocal advocate for the rights of Asian Americans and other marginalized communities, and his music often reflected these themes. Ho's compositions were characterized by their use of unconventional instrumentation, including Chinese gongs, African drums, and other non-Western instruments. One of Ho's most significant works was his opera, "Warrior Sisters: The New Adventures of African and Asian Womyn Warriors." The opera was a collaboration between Ho and his partner, Ruth Margraff, and was first performed in 1999. The opera tells the story of a group of African and Asian women who come together to fight against oppression and injustice. The opera was praised for its innovative use of music and its powerful message of solidarity and resistance. Ho's other notable works include "Journey Beyond the West: The New Adventures of Monkey," a musical adaptation of the Chinese epic "Journey to the West," and "The Sweet Science Suite," a tribute to the boxer Muhammad Ali. Ho also composed music for several films, including "The Killing Zone" and "The Blood of Yingzhou District." In addition to his work as a composer, Ho was also a respected educator and mentor. He taught at several universities, including the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the New England Conservatory of Music. Ho was known for his commitment to teaching and for his efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in music education. Ho's contributions to the world of music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1990 and was awarded the Duke Ellington Distinguished Artist Award in 2009. Ho was also a recipient of the American Music Center's Letter of Distinction and the Jazz Journalists Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Sadly, Ho passed away on April 12, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. His legacy lives on through his music and his activism, which continue to inspire and empower people around the world. Ho's commitment to social justice and his innovative approach to music have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music and beyond.

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