CSULB music major performs at Hollywood Bowl

By Elizabeth Eide
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

Talk about performing on demand. Only one morning of rehearsal was all a Cal State Long Beach tuba player needed to perform with the second highest paid orchestra in the country.

Having the skills to perform on demand with little or no rehearsal earned this music major $800 for two nights of work.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic is a well paid, prestigious orchestra that invites you to audition if you are deemed worthy. The L.A. Philharmonic performed at the Hollywood Bowl two weeks ago, backing up a blue grass band called Nickel Creek.

CSULB student, Justin Gerome, performed with the L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl on Sept. 2 and 3. A fourth year music major, Gerome was among the musicians worthy of such an event, thanks to a recommendation from one of his instructors.

Professor Norm Pearson has played with the L.A. Philharmonic for over a decade. Pearson recommended to the manager that Gerome take his place at the bowl so he could enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation. “Its who you know,” Gerome said about his invitation to perform at the bowl.

The turning point in Gerome's musical career began with a phone call requesting his participation in one of the biggest concerts of the year. He showed up Friday morning for a so-called rehearsal. One week later he received a check for $800, but more importantly, a priceless resume builder that will open many more doors to the music world.
With over 5,000 people present, Gerome performed the biggest concert of his life, one many people only dream of. This outdoor canyon of a concert hall had a picnic-like atmosphere and a bar.

Gerome's journey as a musician started long ago in the sixth grade. He wanted to play trombone in an introductory music class. Since there were not any tuba players in his class, and he was big enough to hold one, his teacher paid him a dollar to play the tuba. Gerome continued his tuba-playing path by joining the band at his middle school and graduating to the marching and concert bands at his high school. He simultaneously performed with an all southern California honor orchestra. Gerome also toured northern California, performing with the band from Biola University.