About the Program
FLUTES ACROSS THE WORLD is a multi-faceted, educational program designed to nurture cultural understanding throughout the world. The initial project will create a structure for students in American schools to reach out and touch impoverished children in distant parts of our world through the gift of music. Within this program, flutes similar to recorders are hand made by students as part of a cultural awareness program. These flutes are boxed along with an individual photo of each student who made the flute with a message of peace as part of the on-site school workshop program. These flutes are then flown to distant countries on humanitarian aid missions along with Knightsbridge International, an International NGO ( Non Governmental Organization ) which provides aid to impoverished, isolated and war-torn regions in the world.
More about the work of Knightsbridge International can be found at: www.kbi.org
More about the work of Knightsbridge International can be found at: www.kbi.org
FLUTES ACROSS THE WORLD is the idea of John Zeretzke, who was encouraged by Ed Artis, founder of Knightsbridge International, to get instruments donated to give to children overseas who are in need of food and the joy that a musical instrument of their own could bring. John Zeretzke is a master artist/educator, award-winning composer and artist who has been working with children from around the world in arts education for almost 30 years. John was a PASA (Professional Artist in the Schools Award) award recipient for his lifetime dedication to children and arts education, works with educational organizations and schools around the country and is a leader in arts education and music in America today.
More about John and his music can be found at: www.zworldmusic.com
FLUTES ACROSS THE WORLD will actively bring to each student a deeper understanding of world cultures and children in need by teaching them geography, different cultural traditions, history, language arts, visual arts and music. All educational curriculum (standards-based) is created by John Zeretzke and is tailored to meet the needs of every school and educational setting. Students here in America will foster a continuing desire to learn about other people who are different than themselves, and in turn, the children who receive their 'friendship flute' who live in remote parts of the world will learn about music and culture from the USA. Most of all, American students will gain compassion for the plight of others while experiencing the gift of positive service to the world by helping others who are less fortunate.
In the Spring of 2009, students at Topa Topa Elementary and Meiners Oaks Elementary in Ojai, California made and decorated two matching flutes...one to keep and one to send to a child in the Philippines.
A picture was taken of each student and made into tags to accompany their flute with their name and a symbol of peace on the back.
The students learned a song on the flute and made a recording to play for the children in the Philippines.
In addition to the flute making and playing, students were taught about the Philippines, it's culture, music and arts.
