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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
COMING UP!
INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY
Presently cooking on the back burner to perfection is our Flutes for Peace International Peace Day Concert to be held Sunday, September 21st at a venue near us! Now accepting sponsors and inquiries from serious flutists to participate in contributing their time and talent! Contact: Flutesforpeace.hq@gmail.com
to express interest! We will answer within 24 hours with further information. Thank you!
A Most Welcome Endorsement for our 03/19/2022 Ukraine Benefit Concert!!
In March, 2022 we were thrilled that the renowned flutist Sir James Galway endorsed us by carrying the torch in our quest to encourage peace for Ukraine with his online performance of "Danny Boy" live on Facebook under the auspices of "Flutes for Peace"! Scroll down for that concert's information.
March 19, 2022 CONCERT FOR UKRAINE
This was our first official Peace Concert held in Atlantic City in support of Ukraine, at the Lutheran Church, St. Andrew of the Sea. Left to right: Flutists Geri Rizzo, Ronna Ayscue, Carla Auld, Jan Somers, Joanne Mitchell, Fran Burber, Beverly Pugh-Corry, Front: Judy Simmermon, Rosemarie Cicalese-Jurgaitis.
GUEST CONDUCTOR: Dr. Beverly Vaughn, Professor of Music, Stockton College,
Pomona and Atlantic City, NJ
- COMPOSER Eugene Magalif, native of Belarus, now East Brunswick, NJ - presented a speech regarding his countryman and the Ukraine followed by our performance of his arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" for flute choir.
Thanks to Reverend Arlen for donating the use of this beautiful sanctuary and for leading us in prayer on behalf of Ukraine.
MARCH 18, 2023 - WHEN HEMISPHERES UNITE
Our first world peace concert featuring guest artist Belgian flutist Professor Dr. 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.
DECEMBER 10, 2025 CHRISTMAS CONCERT
THE HEAVENLY FLUTES OF CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Flutists left to right: Geri Rizzo, Pam Whitman, Carla Auld, Judy Simmermon, Amanda Rogers, Katie Hammerlin
Peace Like a River Flows
Words and Music by Geri Rizzo
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