Shaniko Music Sanctuary

Our Mission: Supporting Music Education in Rural Oregon.

Shaniko Music Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity.

We raise funds for rural music education.

Since its inception in 2022, the Shaniko Music Sanctuary has raised $5,900 for the South Wasco County Public School music program, helping sustain a full-time music director and a wide range of instruments and classes for students from pre-K through high school.

Upcoming Events

  • Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree

    Sept 18-20, 2026 | Tygh Valley, OR

    Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree kicks off September 18-20th, 2026 in beautiful Central Oregon.

    Workshops, band scramble opportunities, music performances, kids activities and workshops —

    Tickets are only $70 for the full weekend and include dry camping, or reserve an RV spot if you prefer more comfort.

    Get Tickets

  • Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen at Historic Shaniko Schoolhouse

    Oct 10 6:00-7:30PM | Shaniko, OR

    True masters of progressive bluegrass. Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen have built a reputation as one of the most exciting bands on the scene, delivering electrifying performances and drawing new listeners to the genre. Join us in Shaniko, OR for an intimate show in an historic building.— tickets are only $10 and will sell out.

    Get Tickets

  • Journey Thru Time Tour: Tuesday String Band

    Sept 24 - Oct 3 | Rural Oregon

    Tuesday String Band tours Rural Oregon bring donation-based concerts and education workshops to rural residents this autumn.

    Coming to a town near you:

    Sept 24: Spray General Store | Spray, OR

    Sept 25: Condon Arts Council | Condon, OR

    Oct 2: Riverside | Maupin, OR

    Oct 3: The Balch Hotel | Dufur, OR

Shaniko Music Sanctuary in the Press
A group of five men performing outdoors with musical instruments, including guitars and a banjo, during a community event organized by the Oregon Bluegrass Association.
A small church at dusk with the headline 'Oregon ghost town's wedding chapel will get new life as a nonprofit' in white text. A yellow icon with the word 'HERE' in black is in the bottom left corner, and a white button with 'READ ARTICLE' and an arrow is in the bottom right corner.
People playing violins outdoors during the Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree, with a logo of South Wasco County Alliance.
A man and a woman standing outdoors in front of a wooden house, smiling and wearing cowboy hats, with the woman wearing a shirt that says 'ARIAT'. The scene promotes a story about locals working to bring Shaniko back to life.

Building a strong music culture starts with three main components: 

Exposure

Cultivating interest by exposing local communities to live performances.

Accessibility

Providing students with access to well-functioning instruments.

Support

Offering educational support to students and music teachers alike

LEARN MORE ABOUT US

Meet Our Board Members

  • Mark Haskett Shaniko Music Sanctuary President

    Mark Haskett

    Vision & Execution

    Mark is an entrepreneur and director of operations for SMS. He has started and grown companies in multiple industries, including movie theaters, music events, photography, and fuel sales.

  • Pam Brown Shaniko Music Sanctuary Secretary

    Pamela Brown

    Marketing & Outreach

    Pam is responsible for SMS public relations, community outreach, digital engagement, and advertising. She has a degree in music ed and began her career as a band director.

  • Kyle White Shaniko Music Sanctuary Board Member

    Wm. Kyle White

    Producer

    Kyle is a producer, composer, engineer, and musician. His commercial brand-work has been featured in Sony, Subway, and Macy's advertisements.

  • A dog with a mix of brown, white, and black fur, sitting against a dark background, with the word 'Secretary' overlaid.

    Greg Greenway

    Public Involvement & Dev.

    Greg is a public policy consultant. He helps nonprofit organizations navigate the public process, and works with local governments to engage their communities.

Ongoing Projects

  • Poster for the Bluegrass Band Championship at Shaniko Music Sanctuary in Shaniko, Oregon, on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Shows a group of musicians playing guitars and drums, with event details and prize amounts of $3000, $2000, and $1000 displayed.

    Bringing Musicians to Rural Central Oregon.

  • Event poster for the Wasco County Fairgrounds Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree, happening September 18-20, 2026, with a button to get tickets for 2026.

    Building Community.

  • A group of children sitting on chairs listening to an older man and young girl playing double bass during a music event. Guitars are visible in the background.

    Supporting Local Music Programs.

  • A close-up of a violin with a bow on the right side, with text overlaid that reads 'Donate your Instrument to our LENDING LIBRARY'. There is also a circular logo in the upper right corner that says 'TYGH VALLEY BLUEGRASS JAMBOREE'.

    Making Instruments Accessible.