The Greater Trenton Symphony Association presents its annual New Year’s Eve Concert at 8 p.m. on Monday, December 31, at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton. Tickets are $25 to $65. Conductor Brian Katona of West Windsor will be joined by Broadway singer and actress Alison Fraser and pianist Steven Ryan.
Katona was raised in Traverse City, Michigan. His father, a postal worker, played guitar and wrote songs, stories, and poems. “When I was young my dad and I listened to an old Johnny Cash cassette tape with songs by various country artists singing about the James gang,” he says. “It wasn’t a musical, but it told the Jesse James tale. It was always a nice bonding moment for my dad and me.”
His mother is a writer and painter. She works as an English tutor. An early photo has Katona playing piano at his grandmother’s house when he was four. “I always felt at home behind the keyboard: playing and composing,” he says. “It was something that almost chose me.”
After receiving his undergraduate degree in conducting from Western Michigan University he studied conducting, musical theater, and film scoring at the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was accepted by the Aspen Music Festival as a film composer.
“Having caught the Hollywood bug, I moved to Los Angeles,” he says. Katona met his future wife, Catherine Tweel Katona, at a Methodist church. She sang in the choir and he conducted.
The couple moved to New Jersey so he could begin his doctoral study in conducting at Rutgers. When he graduated in 2008 he was hired to teach ear training and musical dictation to freshman, sophomore, and junior classes.
The couple lived in Metuchen until their second child was on his way. “We moved to West Windsor, where we have a larger yard for the kids and an excellent school system,” he says.
Their children are Madeline, 5, a kindergarten student; and Harrison, 3. Catherine is vice president of business and legal affairs with Viacom Media Networks and the Nickelodeon Group.
Katona began conducting with Greater Trenton Symphony close to five years ago. He has co-conducted concerts with John Peter Holly as well as playing keyboard and harpsichord on several programs.
Katona has performed internationally as both conductor and pianist, including appearances in Berlin, Venlo, Utrecht, Lucca, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, and New York. His repertoire ranges from classical orchestral and choral works to musical theater, pop, and jazz. Katona’s ensembles have performed at the Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. He has also prepared choruses for performances at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
As a composer, Katona’s compositions and arrangements have been performed in Los Angeles, New York, and at the Aspen Music Festival, and have also appeared on television and in film.
Featured works on the New Year’s Eve program include “When Giants Walked the Earth” from the new musical, “Empress,” with music by Katona and lyrics by Barry Harman.
In the new year, Katona hopes to continue working on a new musical that is near to his heart. “I had been looking for an idea for a musical for quite some time,” he says. The inspiration for “Jesse James Dead or Alive” came when Katona was collecting his father’s belongings from the nursing home after he died. The Jesse James cassette tape was on top of one of the packed boxes. “Something clicked in that moment and I began to write my first draft of the show. As the show continues to develop it is truly shaping into a story about family and the relationship between father and his son. We are hoping, with enough support, to have a production by the spring. From there we have hopes that it will one day be seen on the Broadway stage.”
New Year’s Eve Concert, Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra, Patriots Theater, War Memorial, Trenton, 609-396-5522. www.trentixnj.com. $25 to $65. 8 p.m.
There are many other events on New Year’s Eve. You can dine, dance, party, or go to a bonfire. Be sure to check www.princetoninfo.com for up-to-date event entries. Some of the events follow.
Salute to Vienna, State Theater, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, 732-246-7469. www.StateTheatreNJ.org. More than 75 musicians, singers, and dancers with Strauss waltzes, polkas, and operetta pieces. $67 to $107. 6 p.m.
India Hut Restaurant, 10 Schalks Crossing Road, Plainsboro, 609-936-8484. Music, food buffet, and more. BYOB. Register. $25. 8 p.m.
Salt Creek Grille, One Rockingham Row, Forrestal Village, Plainsboro, 609-419-4200. www.saltcreekgrille.com. Prix fixe menu, four hour open bar, and music from Gyrl Band. Register. $99. (Dinner from a la carte menu available from 4 to 6:30 p.m.) 8 p.m.
Rho Ristorante, 50 Riverview Plaza, Waterfront Park, Route 29, Trenton, 609-393-7300. www.rhowaterfront.com. Three packages all include party favors and a champagne toast. White package includes open bar from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., $45. Gold package includes open bar from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., appetizer and dinner buffet, and continental breakfast, $60. Platinum package includes the gold package with a bottle of champagne, appetizers served at your table, and a cocktail server, $89. Must be 21. 8:30 p.m.
John Henry Goldman and the Straight Jazz Trio, Tusk Restaurant, 1736 Route 206 South, Montgomery, 908-829-3417. www.tuskrestaurant.com. Goldman on trumpet, Sue Giles on vocals, Wilbo Wright on upright bass, and Spencer Caton on piano, and Joe Falcey on drums. Register. 9 p.m.
Villagers Theater, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, 732-873-2710. www.villagerstheatre.com. Popular music from the last 40 years presented by 18 performers. Early show, $25. Late show includes a post-show party with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and midnight champagne toast, $60. 7 p.m.
English Contra Dance, Princeton Country Dancers, Suzanne Patterson Center, Monument Drive, 609-924-6763. www.princetoncountrydancers.org. Basics workshop, pot luck dessert buffet, dancing. $20. 7 p.m.
Dance Party, G&J Studios, 5 Jill Court, Suite 15, Hillsborough, 908-892-0344. www.gandjstudios.com. Buffet dinner, line and general dances, games, and more. Register. $50. 7:30 p.m.
Multimedia Light Show, Cranbury Christmas Lights, 128 North Main Street, Cranbury, cranburyChristmasLights.com. More than 20,000 lights controlled by 432 channels and 22,000 feet of extension cords includes a “Shooting Fountain of Light,” a wall of snowflakes, and a mega tree. The 50-minute show begins on the hour. Visitors may tune to the radio station posted to watch the lights dance to the music. 6 to 9 p.m.
Jeff Pirrami, RC Smith, and Geno Bisconte, Catch a Rising Star, Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center, West Windsor, 609-987-8018. www.catcharisingstar.com. New Year’s Eve gala in the main ballroom. Comedy show at 9:30 p.m. Cocktail reception, five course seated dinner, dessert buffet, champagne toast, open bar, balloon burst, dancing, a hotel room, and more. Register. $199 per person; $150 per person without a room. 6:30 p.m.
Hogmanay Bonfire, Lawrence Historical Society, Brearley House, Meadow Lane, Lawrenceville, 609-895-1728. www.thelhs.org. Light up the night with a traditional Scottish New Year’s Eve bonfire. The ancient tradition celebrates a clean break from all that had been bad in the old year. Hot cocoa, cake, and music follow indoors at the Brearley House. Free. 6 p.m.
Rat’s Restaurant, 126 Sculptor’s Way, Hamilton, 609-584-7800. www.groundsforsculpture.org. Choose dinner from regular menu, or a five-course tasting menu with wine ($150) or without wine ($95). Champagne toast at midnight. Dance music begins at 8 p.m. Register. 5 p.m.
Brothers Moon, 7 West Broad Street, Hopewell, 609-333-1330. www.brothersMoon.com. Six-course dinner. BYOB. Register. $89. 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Vidalia, 21 Phillips Avenue, Lawrenceville, 609-896-4444. www.eatatvidalia.com. Four-course meal. Register. $69. 6 p.m.
Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, 732-828-4444. www.stageleft.com. Hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dessert, and wine. Fireworks outside at midnight. Register. $149. 8:30 p.m.
Singles Gala, Sens Asian Cuisine, 4095 Route 1 South, Monmouth Junction, 732-438-6626. Dancing, buffet dinner, DJ, party favors, and more. BYOB. Register with Gary at National Business Adjusters by Thursday, December 27. $55. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Princeton Elks, 354 Route 518, Blawenburg, 908-616-1787. Dancing, DJ, pot luck dinner, open bar. Register. 9 p.m.
