Sevenars Concerts, established in 1968, was selected one of the six best small music festivals in the USA by Time Magazine. Founded by internationally known pianist Robert Schrade and his celebrated composer/songwriter/pianist wife Rolande Young Schrade, it all began with "Family Concerts" starting in 1968 in the small Methodist Church of the idyllic town of South Worthington, Massachusetts, a village now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Robert and Rolande included in their concerts their five young pianist children, Robelyn, Rhonda Lee, Rolisa, Randolph, and Rorianne (hence the name "Sevenars" as all seven performers had names starting with the letter "R"), and concerts drew growing crowds that spilled out of the church. A larger space was needed!
In 1976, the concerts moved across the little street to the historic Academy building, established in 1895 by Russell Conwell, founder of Temple University and author of the famous "Acres of Diamonds" lecture. Sevenars was incorporated as Sevenars Concerts, Inc. and was then able to branch out, becoming an official non-profit organization under IRS Code 509(A)(1), Section 501(c)(3). In the years that followed Sevenars was able to present over 300 guest artists, both world-renowned performers and prizewinning newcomers. Enrichment programs for schoolchildren and arts and crafts exhibits have also been presented, but the concerts were "a natural" - partly due to the in the landmark Academy's miraculous acoustics.
