Sisters Starry Nights
Concerned parents, school administrators, and community leaders came together to develop the Foundation’s first fundraising event: the Sisters Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series. Organized and staffed entirely by volunteers, the event debuted in 1997 and is the major source of funding for the Sisters Schools Foundation.

Starry Nights was born when massive budget cuts due to tax-limiting ballot measures threatened programs at schools across the state in 1996.  In this can-do community, concerned parents, school administrators and community leaders came together to develop the Sisters Schools Foundation’s first fundraising event – the Sisters Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series.  Organized and staffed entirely by volunteers and co-chaired by Susan Arends, Jeri Fouts and Novella Swisher, the event debuted in 1997 and has been the major source of funding ever since for the Sisters Schools Foundation.

The event has featured concerts at Sisters High School , with performances generously donated by such artists as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Keb’ Mo’, Lyle Lovett, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Kathy Mattea, Rodney Crowell, Karla Bonoff, Kim Carnes, John Hiatt, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lee Ann Womack, Gary Morris, Hal Ketchum, Chely Wright, Kenny Rankin, Nicolette Larson, Jeffrey Steele, Big Al Anderson and Christopher Cross.

Over the years, Starry Nights has found more innovative ways to support Sisters schools through the production of  “A Starry Summer Night” with the High Street Band at Aspen Lakes; a benefit performance of the classic play “Love Letters” starring veteran actors Gregory Harrison and Linda Purl at the Tower Theatre; and a concert by University of Oregon a cappella singing groups “On the Rocks” and “Divisi.”

Most recently, Starry Nights presented “Wine, Women and Song” with Matraca Berg, Suzy Bogguss and Gretchen Peters and “An Evening with Karla Bonoff” featuring guitarist Nina Gerber. These renowned singer-songwriters showcased their works in the beautiful, intimate setting of The Belfry in downtown Sisters.  The concerts included a live auction, hors d’ouevres prepared by the Sisters High School Culinary Arts students and fine wines by Eola Hills Wine Cellars. 

As the funding crisis continues for Oregon public schools, Starry Nights remains dedicated to producing events that benefit the school district and the students it serves by providing support that helps keep vital programs alive.

To date, Starry Nights has contributed nearly $1.4 million dollars to the Sisters Schools Foundation to fund classroom and co-curricular programs and activities including music, art, drama, science, sports, math, technology, foreign language, IEE, outdoor school and has provided such key learning elements as state-of-the-art interactive SMART Boards in all classrooms at all three schools, as well as textbooks and library books at Sisters Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.  In addition, a portion of the funds raised each year are set aside in an annuity growth fund that will provide financial stability for Sisters students in the future.Sisters is a community that has a long history of working in harmony on behalf of children and education.  Starry Nights extends its great appreciation to the caring circle of artists, sponsors and volunteers who have shared its commitment to keeping Sisters schools strong!

The event has featured performances graciously donated by such artists as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Lyle Lovett, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Kathy Mattea, Rodney Crowell, Kim Carnes, John Hiatt, Keb’ Mo’, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lee Ann Womack, Hal Ketchum, Chely Wright, Kenny Rankin, Nicolette Larson, Suzy Bogguss, Jeffrey Steele, Big Al Anderson and Karla Bonoff

2019 Artists

John Hiatt

On October 12th, John Hiatt will release his first album in four years, The Eclipse Sessions, via New West Records. Hiatt’s 23rd studio release since introducing himself with 1974’s Hangin’ Around the Observatory, The Eclipse Sessions is streaming in its entirety below.

Lyle Lovett

Active since 1980, he has recorded 13 albums and released 25 singles to date, including his highest entry, the number 10 chart hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, “Cowboy Man”.

2016 Artists

Nina Gerber

Nina’s guitar style is wide and brave. As she glides thru this record project, she uses each of her guitars as if it’s the one she was born to play. Acoustic or electric, she sounds beautiful, smokey, precise, full of the licks you love to hear, even though it sounds like you’re hearing them fresh, for the first time, and some of them… you are. She’s a player, folks… we’re lucky to have her near…”

Karla Bonoff

In her early career, Bonoff sang background vocals for Ronstadt and  Wendy Waldman  before releasing her debut album in 1977, titled <i>Karla Bonoff</i>. Her other albums include <i>Restless Nights</i> (1979), <i>Wild Heart of the Young</i> (1982), <i>New World</i> (1988) and <i>All My Life</i> (a greatest hits collection) in 1999. Bonoff is best known as a songwriter, but she is also noted for her hit recording of “Personally”.