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.

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.