PROFESSOR DR. BERTEN D'HOLLANDER MASTERCLASS AND CONCERT USA

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OUR MANTRA:  "PEACE BEGINS WITH ME - WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!"

Founded  in 2016 by flutist Geri Rizzo, Flutes for Peace was formed to unite flutists to perform together in a joint effort to promote peace.   Our humble beginning began with us performing for local public and private venues such as Ronald McDonald House and for shut ins to create a sense of  peace to bring them comfort through our soothing sounds.    Our core flute choir members hail southern New Jersey and perform with the Atlantic Pops, Bay Atlantic Symphony, Ocean City Pops and also perform in recitals as well as teach flute in schools and private studios.  We currently have fifteen area flutists who perform with us according to availability due to busy teaching and performing schedules.  We also happily include fluteplayers of any stage or age who read music well.  There is no audition required.

OUR MISSION

"Playing the Flute" is more unique than just playing any instrument.  It is said that the flute is the instrument closest to the human voice and I believe that.  I also believe that there is a more spiritual aspect to the flute than any other.  I have never met another flutist who was not connected this way in some capacity.  There is a strong connection between the flute and our creator and nature.  Our wish is to actively expand to every state of the USA and beyond internationally.  If you have a flute choir or would like us to perform for your peace endeavor please contact  us below for more information!  Kindness and compassion especially in today's world are key, so join us in this humble mission and help us to perpetuate the journey!  Geri Rizzo

Our first world peace concert featuring guest artist Belgian flutist Berten D'Hollander took place at the beautiful Asbury United Methodist Church in Atlantic City, New Jersey and was very successful - a concert to remember!  Please see videos below.  Participating in the Flutes for Peace Flute Choir were flutists Beverly Pugh-Corry, Rosemarie Cicalese-Jurgaitis, Geri Rizzo, Judith Simmermon,  Janet Somers, Carolyn Boxmeyer, Patricia Lazzara,  Leslie Grey, Amanda Roth.  Featured flutist, Berten D'Hollander, Belgium; Nina Siniakova, piano.

"I SHOT AN ARROW INTO THE AIR, IT FELL TO EARTH, I KNEW NOT WHERE". 

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow -1807–1882, American Poet

One never knows where a new project or endeavor will take them and the possibilities are endless!  I am so grateful for the enthusiasm and support of my colleagues, friends and acquaintances as we grow!  - Geri Rizzo, Founder/Director  

If you feel moved to donate to support any of our future endeavors please contact us at FlutesforPeace.hq@gmail.com

Thanks so much!

The picture here is of the Hudson River in the beautiful Hudson Valley where I was born.  I spent countless hours playing my flute by this river, daydreaming, just loving playing my flute.  It was the inspiration for my song of peace, "Peace Like a River Flows",  originally composed for flute voice and piano.  The wonderful Eugene Magalif was kind enough to arrange it for flute choir for me in time to premiere it for our next concert!  Below are the words, whichcan be sung along with the flute choir:

Peace Like A River Flows / by Geri Rizzo

Intro / Flute

Peace like a river flows

A beautiful dream if we can make it so

But dreams just don't happen on their own.

I think that we all know

It's up to each of us to make it so

A dream is just the start of something real

For if we take a leap of faith

And work together every day

The world would be a happy place

It's up to us to make it so

And then each of us will grow

A ripple effect that rings 

through the world

CHORUS

Make a sound of light

Wide rivers take flight

Peace like a river

Working together

We can make it happen!

-Copyright Geri Rizzo - 2023