it should work. or you already use it during the same turn because the text says "can only activate this effect once per turn" or probably miss timing.
Or it's like one of the guys below, who Set the second Flutist, meaning he has no face-up SHS on the field that can trigger the first Flutist in the Graveyard.
Flutist can negate Circle, as long as your opponent doesn't chainblock you. If he uses Rod's effect in GY to tribute his own monster while Circle is already activated, your Flutist cannot negate the Circle because it gets chainblocked by Rod