For Immediate Release

Rebecca Eaddy
Marketing Communications Manager
Roland Corporation U.S.
(323) 890-3718
Rebecca.Eaddy@RolandUS.com

Roland Corporation US Sponsors Inspiration West Conference

Technology of the Future Meets the Ghosts of the Past

Los Angeles, California, March 2, 2005--Roland Corporation US is proud to announce that it recently sponsored the Inspiration West worship conference on the Queen Mary ocean liner—one of Southern California's most unique hotels and tourist attractions. The conference, which began November 15, 2004, included four days of exhibits and educational seminars on a variety of topics related to the use of technology in worship.

"We were thrilled to be part of such an exciting and inspirational experience," says Roland Marketing Team Manager, Corey Fournier. "It isn't every day that we have the pleasure of demonstrating the technological advantages of Roland products while standing on such a prestigious and awe-inspiring vessel. We look forward to hosting similar events on the Queen Mary in the future."

Roland's team demonstrated the concept of the "silent stage" using Roland V-drums and GT-series guitar effects processors, along with the award winning VS-series digital studio workstations for recording church services and making live albums.

Highlighting the conference was an evening of devotion held in the Queen's Salon, lead by Holland Davis, Worship Pastor of Ocean Hills Church in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Davis relates, “It’s an amazing feeling to be leading worship on a ship with this kind of history. Here in this very room there have been dignitaries and celebrities from so many different eras--and tonight, it is a house of worship.”

The Queen Mary, which played a huge part in the liberation of Europe, is now docked permanently in Long Beach, CA. The aptly dubbed "Ghost Ship” earned its famous nickname by possessing an uncanny knack for avoiding German U-boat detection during the second World War. During that time the Allied Forces used the massive luxury liner (larger than the ill-fated Titanic) to transport troops—ferrying soldiers to Europe in numbers seven times its sleeping capacity. On one particular voyage, over 15,000 servicemen were required to “hot-rack,” sleeping in shifts.

The Inspiration conference was also very special for Brenda Josenberger, from Zoe Christian Fellowship in Whittier, CA. Josenberger won the grand prize Roland Fantom-X8 Workstation Keyboard. Though not a keyboard player, she was overwhelmed with excitement, and decided to donate the powerful keyboard to her church. “I just can’t believe I won this! No one at church is gonna believe it,” said Brenda as the Roland team gently maneuvered the 88-note workstation into the front and back seat of her Mustang.

Technologies for Worship magazine hosts the Inspiration conference twice a year, and the next one is May 23–26 in Charlotte, NC. The West Coast conference is in Santa Clara, CA, from August 9–13, 2005. For more information, go to www.tfwm.com.

Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of electronic musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia products and music accessories. For more information, contact Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., P.O. Box 910921, Los Angeles, CA 90091-0921, (323) 890-3700 (x3718 for media use only), www.RolandUS.com.