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Bio Michael Helman is currently Director of Music/Organist at Faith Presbyterian Church in Cape Coral, Florida where he directs the adult vocal choirs, a graded handbell program from children through adults, and coordinates the church’s Concert Series. Prior to moving to Florida in 2006, Michael was Director of Music and Organist for fifteen years at St. Paul’s United Methodist in Wilmington, Delaware. Michael did his undergraduate work in organ performance at Lebanon Valley College and did graduate work in Music History and Literature at West Chester University. He is an active composer of handbell, organ, and choral music with well over a hundred pieces in print. Michael has also won nine composition contests including the 1997, 1998, and 2000 AGEHR National Composition Contests. Mr. Helman is in demand as a handbell festival director and clinician all over the country. He is a past Dean of the Delaware Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and has served on the Board of Area III of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers for a total of 8 ½ years. In the fall of 2000, he founded the Wilmington Handbell Ensemble, which is the first auditioned community handbell choir in Delaware. The Lebanon Valley College Alumni Associate awarded Michael the 2009 outstanding alumni in creative achievement. |
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Other Career Experience Composer of handbell, organ, and choral literature with over 125 pieces in print. Michael has won nine composition contests including the 1997, 1998, and 2000 American Guild of English Handbell Ringers National Competition and the Northern Virginia AGO Chapter Hymn Writing Competition. Past Dean of the Delaware Chapter of American Guild of Organists (4 years). AGEHR Area III Board of Directors: 5 years as Delaware State Chair, 2 years as Chair elect, 1 year as Chairman. Organ Recitalist Clinician and conductor for handbell festivals and workshops. Michael has been clinician/conductor for numerous handbell events around the country sponsored through American Guild of English Handbell Ringers as well as churches and community groups.
Handbell Clinician at numerous worship and music camps including:
Conductor of Handbell Festivals (highlights):
Harpsichordist/Organist for Southwest Florida Symphony Chorus Instructor in Liturgical Formation Program, Diocese of Wilmington
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