PARTY NOTES: Soprano Miran Halen kept an intimate group of about 50 mesmerized with her singing and costume changes at a St. Louis Symphony "Party of Note," that she co-hosted on Friday night with her husband, concertmaster David Halen, and the Fox Theatre's Mary Strauss.

Strauss had the fund raiser at her 1892-built Central West End manse, where visitors could ogle the house itself, as well as part of her collection of vintage theatrical clothing and other items.

But Miran Halen stole the spotlight when she entered down the main stairway of the house wearing a traditional Korean gown by Lee Rhee-Za, a costume designer who has designed gowns for several first ladies of Korea. The gown of yellow and bright pink was outstanding, and Halen hit all the right notes on Dongjin Kim's "Saetaryeon."

Halen wore one of Strauss' vintage Bob Mackie gowns for several other songs, and her own Stella McCartney dress for her last song, George Gershwin's "By Strauss."

David Halen accompanied his wife on violin for several numbers, and Alla Voskoboynikova accompanied them on piano. Miran brought the symphony's Ward Stare from out of the audience for some playful dancing. The Halen's son, Christopher, 15, a cellist, was only called upon to operate the spotlight.

Among some of the notables at the party were: Dr. Sherman Silber and Joan Silber; Susan Sherman; David and Carol Gast; Linda and Paul Lee; Kathryn and Robert Fulstone; Susan Barrett; Margaret McDonald; Ronald and Janet Moen; Fred Bronstein; Joan Quicksilver; Judy Brilliant; and John Milonas and Robert Ramsey.

The next Party of Note is "Bach to the Future" beginning at 5:30 p.m., Dec. 11 at Concordia Seminary. Celest Golden Boyer, the symphony's new second associate concertmaster, will perform a Bach chaconne and patrons will be given a rare opportunity to view Bach family bible, which is housed at the seminary.

The evening will also feature a sit-down dinner in the newly renovated Koburg Hall. The cost is $50 per person. Tickets are available by clicking here or by calling the Powell Hall box office at 314-534-1700.