Pamela Brown, Shaniko Music Sanctuary Executive Director
TYGH VALLEY, Ore. — The sounds of banjos, fiddles, and mandolins echoed through the Wasco County Fairgrounds last month as the Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree wrapped up its fourth successful year — and another year of giving back to local music education.
The three-day festival, held every September, draws more than 600 visitors from across five states for a weekend of foot-stomping performances, camping, and community. But beyond the music, the Jamboree serves a deeper purpose: supporting the next generation of musicians in Central Oregon.
Since its inception, the Jamboree 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.
“We are one of the few small districts that still has a full-time music program,” said Marty Hansen, Music Director for South Wasco County Schools. “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 Jamboree, produced by the nonprofit Shaniko Music Sanctuary, is part of a growing movement to make music accessible across rural Central Oregon. 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, and Kephart Enterprises all generously supported the mission and the festival.
Shaniko Music Sanctuary also hosts Hoot, Holler & Sing, a free bluegrass campout in Shaniko each Memorial Day weekend. This year, the group announced two major new initiatives: the first-ever Bluegrass Band Championship, set to debut next year, and an intensive series of bluegrass classes designed for students and adults who want to deepen their musicianship. Together, these efforts aim to make the region a true hub for bluegrass and roots music. Geoff, a returning attendee, shares, “We had a ball not only listening to the wonderful music but also soaking up your little town of Shaniko with all its history and character.”
A key part of the Shaniko Music Sanctuarymission is expanding access to instruments. Each year, the Jamboree runs an instrument donation drive, building a “lending library” of bluegrass instruments available to anyone with a Wasco County Library card. Currently, a guitar and mandolin can be checked out from the South Wasco Library in Maupin, and this year’s festival brought in eight additional instruments to grow the collection. Additionally, Shaniko Music Sanctuary is proud to announce a new partnership with Outlaw Strings in Sisters, Oregon, a fourth-year fiddle program that has grown to 49 students who gather before school to immerse themselves in bluegrass music.
“Our goal is simple,” said festival organizers. “It’s to get instruments into the hands of folks who might not otherwise have the opportunity. We want music to feel accessible — not something you have to be able to afford, but something you can experience and share.”
That focus on inclusion is part of what makes the Jamboree feel so special to attendees. Between main-stage performances, festival goers take part in impromptu jam circles, instrument workshops, and community meals. Experienced players often lend their expertise to beginners, and newcomers are welcomed to pick up an instrument and join in — no matter their skill level.
Festival goers say the heart of the event goes far beyond the stage. “These events take so much time, effort, and dedication — thank you for the enjoyment you’re providing for so many.”
For others, it’s the sense of connection that makes the Jamboree special. “Thanks for keeping the music alive,” said Cam. “It was a blast!”
That community spirit is exactly what the organizers hope to nurture. “Bluegrass brings people together,” a Shaniko Music Sanctuary representative explained. “Whether you’re performing, learning, or just listening, it’s about sharing — across generations, skill levels, and backgrounds. Everyone is welcome.”
As the last notes faded across the Tygh Valley hills, one thing was clear: the Jamboree isn’t just a festival. It’s a growing movement to keep rural Oregon’s musical heritage alive — one song, one student, and one shared moment at a time.
Photo gallery ~ credit: Rosie Day –
