What people are saying...

A Trumpet Voluntary:  “The applause from the audience nearly brought the roof down and without a doubt, it was the highlight piece of the evening.”--John & Jane Heald, Directors, Saint Wulfam’s Handbell Ringers,

Lincolnshire, England.

“We like Susan's creation as it is beautiful and simple, yet demanding. The public also likes the catchy melody. A surplus a value is that, not only she uses handbells in her creation but many solo instruments as well. On our 5th anniversary concert 3 out of 22 pieces presented were Susan's, which were selected out of 54.”-- Inna Lai, Director, Estonian Handbell Ensemble Campanelli.

Osse Shalom:  "Melancholic... splendid... powerful.  It was absolutely exciting and melodious. I strongly believe this music pleases the ears and hearts of the audience as well as those of the performers.  I express my sincere gratitude for your excellent arrangement."-- Kim Eui Gon, Director, Daejon Handbell Choir, Korea.

“Susan T. Nelson goes where no one has gone before.  Who else writes handbell music that imitates a Javanese gamelan? Or one that puts a Brubeck spin on Jesus Loves Me?”--Cindy Alexander, Feature Columnist, Overtones.

Divine Office suite: "I've also had a chance to see scores for this and listen to the MP3s. It is amazing. It's a work of substance and is very moving.”--Stephanie Wiltse, Director, Embellish.

“Christmas Reflections was the result of a commission won at an AGEHR Directors Seminar. Completed in 2000, it was ahead of its time in terms of the bell/chime combinations. This piece served as the title for the first CD by Rejoice Ringers. Christmas Reflections also stands alone for use in other seasons of the year by omitting the references to holiday carols. Does that make it environmentally green?"--Deborah S. Rice. Artistic Director, Rejoice Ringers; AGEHR Past President; Executive Director for International Handbell Committee.

In print/TV...

Brian Boru March, TV Commercial for Rocca al Mare Shopping Center, aired December 2010, by Imagine,

Tallin, Estonia.  http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1614405772076

“Bach, Beethoven... and Susan T. Nelson” article.  Overtones.pdf

Overtones, March/April 2002, vol. 48, no. 2.

Reprinted with permission from the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. http://www.agehr.org

“Music Notes from John Behnke” AGEHR E-Notes, August 2010.   Enotes.pdf

Copyright © 2010 AGEHR-E-Notes. All rights reserved.

Reprinted with permission from The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers www.agehr.org

12/3/09 “Rider Newswire” interview, Westminster Choir College of Rider University, NJ.

http://www.rider.edu/news/2010/12/03/sylvester-scores-high-note   OR Rider.pdf

8/09 “Alumni Success Stories” interview, Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, NJ

http://www.mccc.edu/~humphrew/whatsnew/alumsusannelson.htm    OR mccc.pdf

7/9/06 The Times interview, Trenton, NJ.  Times.pdf

Reprinted with permission from The Times.

Wikipedia: wiki.pdf

You Tube/Videos...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtA76VYe4_I

Bwana Awabariki, Hope Publishing, David L. Weck, Handbell Editor

Sue’s Blues, Campanelli, Estonia, Inna Lai, director.  sues_blues.wmv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iXOM69-V0U

NEW!!    Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending, Agape Ringers, David L. Weck, Director

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWMSvyihKow

Osse Shalom, Daejeon Handbell Choir, Korea, Kim Eui Gon, director

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO8eW4CR5d8

A Trumpet Voluntary, Dunblane Cathedral Handbell Ringers, Scotland, Steven McIntyre, organist,

Malcolm C. Wilson, conductor

Elegy, Campanelli, Estonia, Inna Lai, director.  Elegy.wmv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtVPT4JLlyM

Brian Boru March, St. Olaf Handbell Choir, Northfield, MN Jill Mahr, director

The Divine Office: A Suite for Handbells.  1. Matins:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeIA-mA1S5E

2. Lauds:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5BDh1v0BYs

4. Pilgrimage:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9TR4Imw2mk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hl-4tb1t_A

A Trumpet Voluntary, Agoston Solczi, organist, Romania.

http://www.youtube.com/user/PikesPeakRingers?feature=mhum#p/a/u/1/DBAxXOrgHmw

Brian Boru March, Forté Handbell Quartet, Colorado Springs, CO (live at Pinnacle 2010, Nashville, TN).

Recordings...

CD:

An American Patchwork of Christmas Music, Bethlehem Lutheran Handbell Choir, Traverse City, MI. 

   Susanna Faust , Director, c2001. Track #3:  Huron Carol (Twas in the Moon of Wintertime).

The Bells of Christmas, Madison Area Concert Handbells, Madison, WI.  Dr. Susan S. Udell, Director, c2002.

   Track #8:  Fum, Fum, Fum.

Broadway and Other Favorites, Harbor Bells, Bridgehampton, NY. Valarie Bell, Director, c2002.

   Tack #12:  Elysium.

Campanelli, Campanelli Handbell Ensemble, Estonia, Inna Lai, Director., c.2006.

   Track #8: Elegy, and Track #11: Sue’s Blues.

ChristmasBells2, Bell Choirs of Concordia University Wisconsin, 2003. John A. Behnke, Director.,

   c2003.  Track #11: Fum, Fum, Fum.

Christmas Reflections, Rejoice Ringers of Becks Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC. Deborah S. Rice,

   Director., c2001.  Track #1: Christmas Reflections.

Christmas in the Harbor, Harbor Bells, Bridgehampton, NY.  Valarie Bell, Director, c2000.  Tack #10:  Elysium.

A Carillon of Praise, The Ringers-on-the-Green, Presbyterian Church, Morristown, NJ.  Dr. James D. Hicks,

   Director, c2003.  Track #11:  Juxtaposition.

The Colors of Bronze, Embellish, Grand Rapids, MI.  Stephanie Wiltse, Director, c2001.  Track #3: Osse Shalom.

Crusader Bells, Crusader Bells Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church, San Diego, CA.  Flo Conrad, Director,

   c2000.  Track #6: Contemplation.

Dancing Bells, Madison Area Concert Handbells, Madison, WI.  Dr. Susan S. Udell, Director, c2002. 

   Track #6:  Fugue in C Major.

Evening Bells, Handglockenchor Hannover, Hannover, Germany.  Lothar Mohn, Musical Director, c2009.

   Track 2: Elegy.

God's Songs for the World, Carter Memorial United Methodist Handbell Choir, Dr. Mildred B. Beane, Director;

   Christ Episcopal Handbell Choir, Vera Dumova, Director, c.2010. Track #12/CD1: Bwana Awabariki. NEW!!

Laulvad Kellad, The Singing Bells, Campanelli, Estonia, Inna Lai, Director, c.2010.

   Track #8: Brian Boru March.  NEW!! 

Resonancia, Campanas Universitarias, Puerto Rico, Nelida Muñoz de Frontera, Director, c.2010,

   Indonesian Impressions.  NEW!!

Ring in Bronze, Quintessence Handbell Ensemble, Ontario Canada, Heather Keith, soloist, c..2009.

   Track #6: Greensleeves.

Ringing in Color, Classical Bells, Livonia, MI.  Darlene Ebersole, Director, c2000.  Track #8: Osse Shalom.

   Sonoran Holiday, Sonoran Bells, Tucson, AZ.  Margi Zearley, Director, c2002.  Track #8:  Osse Shalom.

Symphonic Handbells of Columbus, Symphonic Handbells of Columbus, Columbus, OH.  William H. Griffin,

   Director, c2002.  Track #3:  Osse Shalom.

Vintage & Vogue, Velocity Handbell Ensemble, Oakland, CA, P.L. Grove, Artistic Director, c2008.  Track #8:

   Fanfare for an Uncommon Instrument.

Winterbells, Handglockenchor Hannover, Hannover, Germany. Lothar Mohn, Musical Director, c2001. 

   Track #12:  Zimbelstern.

Christmas Concert, Arkansas State University Ringers, Jonesboro, AR.  Dr. M. Ellis Julien, Director, c2000. 

   Track #9:  Zimbelstern.

Christmas Concert with the ASU Ringers, Arkansas State University Ringers, Jonesboro, AR. 

   Dr. M. Ellis Julien, Director, c2001.  Track #8:  Zimbelstern.

Ringers Spring Concert 2005, Arkansas State University Ringers, Jonesboro, AR.  Dr. M. Ellis Julien, Director,

   c2005. Track #6:  Zimbelstern.

DVD:

The Colors of Christmas, Classical Bells, Livonia, MI.  Darlene Ebersole, Director.  Track #9:  Osse Shalom

Awards...

1999 AGEHR McKeehan Scholarship

2008, 2009 & 2010 ASCAPlus Award