SU’s Bandier Program Takes Charge in California Wildfire Relief

Article By Herrick Swirbalus, University Union Editorial Board

Staff Writer | Photo By The Bandier Program

The music industry has been hurting in 2025, to say the least. If you have checked the news at all this month, you've certainly seen headlines about wildfires ravaging the state of California. 2025 is a new benchmark for devastation left by the fires, with record-setting destruction left behind all across the state. However, the reach of these fires extends far beyond the state borders of California. 

Los Angeles has suffered substantial damage, and consequently, many important figureheads in the music industry evacuated the area because of the destruction. The severity of the fires has put a hold on affairs in the music industry, with artists and companies postponing/canceling events out of respect for the victims of the fires. For example, Nine Inch Nails delayed the announcement of their first tour in three years, and Spotify canceled all of their Grammy Week events/parties. As formidable as the situation is and continues to be, there are many ways to help, some more local than you might have imagined.

One of the most prominent and eye-catching fundraising methods was the Fire Aid Benefit Concert, which featured a monstrous lineup spanning from Stevie Nicks, Peso Pluma, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Artists like Charli XCX, Beyoncé, and many more are using their platforms to direct those who want to help, but there are much more local and personal ways to support, even here at Syracuse University. 

Photo by The Bandier Program

The Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications has launched an on-campus fundraising effort for creating a difference in California. As a program so embedded in the music industry and Los Angeles in general, it was only natural that a group of students would want to take fundraising efforts into their own hands. Bandier seniors Suryansh Singh and Sofia Gutierrez have been leading the program’s fundraising initiative, making sure that Bandier’s efforts accurately stand for the program’s goals. The three charities that Bandier has chosen to sponsor are Altadena Girls, Los Angeles Mission, and MusiCares. 

“The charities were chosen by each Bandier class to spotlight affected groups in the LA community,” Gutierrez explained “Each charity represents a different face in the beloved city, whether that be the youth affected in Altadena or musicians who’ve dedicated their lives to sharing their creativity.”

It is incredibly important to the Bandier Program that the passion of its students is represented in the actions taken by the program, and these specific charities each serve a different purpose for relieving California. 

“For several students in the program, MusiCares is a special one,” Singh noted. “They can relate easily because the music industry largely operates out of Los Angeles and it is not difficult to imagine, and identify with the struggle.”

More information about each specific charity can be found on the Bandier Program's official Instagram and each respective charity’s website. As consumers of music and other artist-related content, it's important that we give back to Los Angeles to help the artists in need. 

“It’s the home to songwriters, producers, artists, and the teams that bring some of our favorite musical projects to life,” Gutierrez explained. 

Music is such a vibrant part of the Syracuse University community; from the house venues, to local bands, to even students studying in Los Angeles. Even though it may be snowy and freezing cold here, we are not untouched by the effects of the fires across the country. So many people here in Syracuse call California their home. Areas like Altadena, Hollywood Hills, Pacific Palisades, and Westwood Village are still being hit the hardest, and as issues with fire insurance renewal prevail, the residents of these areas are being left homeless and cannot rebuild their properties. This is an important cause to be kept in the forefront of our minds, doing little things like just spreading the word will go such a long way, especially as news headlines start to shift. Think about the relevance music holds in your life, as a student, as a friend, as family, and how you can give back to the art and communities that drive our life.