Thanks to everyone who attended and/or contributed to the March 9 benefit concert, and thanks to Koiné and Jason Gray for their performances. It was an overwhelming evening that blessed us is so many ways.

Welcome to my home on the web during a transitional time in my life.

In April of 2006 I was diagnosed with a form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  By the time the diagnosis was finalized, it had infiltrated my lungs and I ended up with respiratory failure and in a very critical situation.

Simply put, I came very close to dying.

Ready as I was to face my Maker in the peace of Christ's resurrection, I found that God had plans to keep me on this clay at least a little bit longer.

So the spring and summer of 2006 was taken up by a cycle of chemotherapy treatments. My musical endeavors were curtailed by my condition.

By September test results were showing that the treatment was effective in attacking the cancer. After the final treatment, I looked forward to a recovery from the side effects of the chemo, and, among other things, a re-building of my musical performance chops, with the goal of an active, re-invigorated effort to find more and more ways to share my music.

However, as of November 2006, I find myself faced with the reality that my lymphoma has returned. So as of this writing, my musical pursuits are again mostly on hold.

My oncologist tells me that even with this recurrence, my lymphoma is still very treatable and curable. At this point the treatment will involve a new chemo regimen and then a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant. I'm thankful for the good prognosis, but also know that nothing is certain.  I simply  trust God's plan for my life, and my death--however near or far it might be. For now, I've added a couple of songs to my music page that seem appropriate for my situation.

If you are interested in visiting my CarePage, where I post frequent updates on the progress with my cancer treatments, as well as share my own relfections on the journey, use the "Talk to Me" button on the left to drop us a note and ask about access to the CarePage. We can send you directions on how to join. Thanks for visiting,

Tim Helmen

"Tim, your music is wonderful, original, versatile...and the grace always surprises and reaches a deep place. You'll recognize that no higher compliment is possible, and I mean it sincerely." -- Prof. Mark A Paustian, author of "Prepared to Answer: Telling the Greatest Story Ever Told."

UPDATES

When I'm On The Other Side
(3-13-2007) I've added this new song I wrote for my wife Lori to the music page. This was first performed at the March 9 benefit concert.

Wedding Music
(2-12-2007) I've included recordings of two pieces I wrote for my 1993 wedding to Lori on the music page.

Awake My Heart
(2-9-2007) I've added a 1993 recording of a piece I wrote for  my instrumental quartet to my music page.

New Graphic Design
(12-26-2006) I've added a new  design to my non-music merchandise page, with words that are more true for me than ever these days: "I live under the reign of the Prince of Peace." 

A Song For Christmas
(12-7-2006) I've added a 2004 recording of "In The Bleak Midwinter" featuring my daughter Elaina on vocals to my music page.

Two Songs From Upcoming CD Added To Music Page
(11-2-2006) Rough mixes of "I Am Yours" and "I've Been Crowned" are now on my music page.

Worship Music Available!
(2-25-2006) Check out my Worship page to find out how to order some of the music I've written for worship.

Composition on Worship Compilation
(12-06-2005) An arrangement I wrote of "Holy, Holy, Holy" will appear on a CD of highlights from the 2005 WELS National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts. An excerpt of the recording is available here.

New CD Review
"Another Season" got a nice little review from Brian A. Smith in the Phantom Tollbooth, with my work bringing to mind Mark Knopfler, T-Bone Burnett, Bill Mallonee, Nate Houge, and none other than Bob Dylan ("but with better inflection and more tuneful vocals"). I'll take that company! Read it here.
 
Bill Mallonee Tribute
Check out the music page for my version of the Vigilantes of Love's "Skin".

Gene Adams
A dear musical mentor of mine, trumpeter Gene Adams, passed away on April 11, 2005. See the music page for my reflections on Gene and a couple of clips from some projects of mine he played on years ago.

Live Recordings
Find full-song recordings from live shows on the music page