Helmkamp, Gregor 12/14/1950

Born in Germany I grew up in an artistic household, my father was a painter of very naturalistic pictures and liked to listen to music while he was working. As a child I always wanted to learn to play the piano, but we did not have one. After learning to play recorder at the age of 8 I got my first guitar at the age of 14 and short after that started lessons at the local conservatory. A year later I started piano lessons but turning 18 I started working and business school and could not continue the music lessons. After getting a BS in Business Administration and became a computer programmer.

Much later I could get an electric organ and could play with headphones while the kids were sleeping, and several years later I got a real piano again. Not having plaid for so many years I was very rusty. Since I was never a good player to begin with, I was using the piano mainly for my own pleasure and to try melodies and harmonies.

In 1990 I moved with my family close to Philadelphia in the US and joined the local chapter of a German club. In 1995 I wanted to write a short piece for a string quartet for the 100th anniversary of the club, but since I cannot play those pieces on the piano, I was glad to have a music program to enter the notes and listen to the music

The piece was well received and from there on was hooked to writing music. My work did not leave me as much time to write as much music as I would like to, but whenever I had time and am close to my computer, I liked continue the piece I was working on.

Now I am retired and have more time to work on my music and wrote a couple of songs for men’s choir and for myself, some with lyrics by known poets, some with my own lyrics.