[ Many of us have been under the impression that QRS went out of
 [ business, but they are still in the business of punching rolls as
 [ needed and producing new Christmas rolls.  Vincent Morgan wrote
 [ to Bob Berkman:

> Dear Bob,
>
> Only yesterday I learned that there is a new QRS Christmas roll that
> you helped make.  Then when I went to the QRS web site I discovered
> that you helped make one last year as well.  I ordered both plus
> "Charlie Brown Christmas", as well.  I thought QRS went out of
> business.  If I had known about these rolls earlier I would have
> advertised them among our chapter members.  I didn't even see
> anything on MMD about them.  Is there any way that I can be informed
> when a new roll is published so I can (a) buy it, and (b) advertise
> it to others?
>
> Vincent Morgan

Hi Vincent --  It's too bad there's so much misinformation out there.
Maybe you could be the one to set things straight, with an MMD posting.
Feel free to quote me:  QRS did not go out of business.  They ceased
roll manufacturing for a year or two but have never stopped developing
and marketing Pianomation, their MIDI-based player system.

When roll manufacturing ceased there was some speculation that QRS
would move the equipment to their Story & Clark facility in Seneca,
Pennsylvania, but they did not; they simply moved the roll inventory
there and continued to fill orders as received.  Then, when inventory
had been sold down to the point that it needed to be replenished, they
resumed roll manufacturing in Buffalo.

The staff there consists of one excellent person, Tony Paul, who
started there in the early 1970's.  He does everything: perforating,
stenciling, spooling, boxing, labeling.  Then the finished rolls are
trucked to Story & Clark.  The only new rolls they issue are the annual
Christmas rolls, for which I prepare the masters as an independent
contractor.

Best wishes for the holiday season,

Bob Berkman
Buffalo, New York
http://www.pianolaenterprises.com/ 

 [ "Christmas 2013: Christmas Eve & Other Stories II",
 [ QRS Cat. No. XMAS2013, is described at
 [ http://www.qrsmusic.com/music.asp?cid1=28&pid=4212 
 [ -- Robbie