Shaniko Music Sanctuary Projects
Ongoing Projects
A key part of the Shaniko Music Sanctuary mission is expanding access to instruments
The Shaniko Music Sanctuary Instrument Lending Library is opening doors for young musicians by removing one of the biggest barriers to learning: access to an instrument. For many families, the cost of purchasing a quality fiddle, guitar, mandolin, or banjo can put music lessons out of reach. By providing instruments at no cost, the Lending Library gives children the opportunity to discover a lifelong passion, build confidence, and develop valuable creative skills.
Our current inventory holds 25 guitars, 3 mandolins, a banjo and 5 ukeleles — ready for new homes. Reach out to us if you would like to request an instrument free of charge! We currently have 10 instruments out in the hands of rural Oregon Youth.
Supporting Rural Youth Music Programs ensures access to music education | Shaniko Music Sanctuary Partners with Sisters Outlaw Strings
Outlaw Strings fiddle program is composed of 50 middle-and-high school kids who meet before and after school to immerse themselves in bluegrass music. The few kiddos who could afford the trip to Wintergrass 2025 had an absolute blast jamming, performing and immersing thenmselves in bluegrass culture. We are collaboared with the Oregon Bluegrass Association to raise funds to double attendance of the Sisters, Oregon Strings Students this Winter! We helped acquire new instruments for kids in the Sisters program, and provided 5 traveling teachers in 2026 to support the kids in their music journey.
Shaniko Music Sanctuary is leading a growing movement to make music accessible across rural Central Oregon.
Since its inception, the Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree — produced by 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.
Marty Hansen, Music Director for South Wasco County Schools shares “About 95% of our music program budget comes from Shaniko Music Sanctuary. These funds allow us to keep expanding — from ukuleles and guitars to a brand-new concert keyboard and even DJ equipment for our high school students.”
The sense of camaraderie stretches beyond the festival grounds with local sponsorships helping make it all possible. The Balch Hotel, Maupin Market, Shaniko Gas Station, Tamarack Sheds,Jack’s Body Shop, Ed Staub, and Kephart Enterprises have all generously sponsored the mission and the festival.