BUTLER TWP - William Purvis, a 1966 Butler High School graduate and a recipient of a Distinguished Graduate Award in 1996, will present a duo recital for the benefit of the Butler Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation.

He will perform on French horn at 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Butler County Community College Succop Theater. Joining him will be his wife, Mihae Lee, who will play the piano.

"We are very fortunate to have (Purvis) volunteer his time and talents for this," said Peg Dumbaugh, a foundation board member.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the foundation, which sponsors the annual Distinguished Graduate Award.

The award is now in its 25th year, and Purvis is part of the special celebration acknowledging the award's silver anniversary.

"It's a great way to kick off our silver anniversary," Dumbaugh said.

Purvis has enjoyed a varied career as a French horn soloist, chamber musician, conductor and educator.

He began as a soloist for the Pittsburgh Symphony at age 18. He credits the late Salvatore Signorino for starting him on the French horn.

Purvis played in the Butler County Symphony Orchestra as a high school student and said Edward Roncone, the symphony's first conductor, encouraged him to study music.

He studied the French horn at the Juilliard School before earning a degree in philosophy at Haverford College.

Purvis is a member of the New York Woodwind Quintet, Orpheus and the Orchestra of St. Lukes.

He has extensive recordings that span a broad range.

Purvis also serves on the faculty of the Yale School of Music, the Juilliard School and SUNY Stony Brook.

Lee has performed extensively in solo recitals and chamber music concerts throughout North America, Europe and Asia. She often can be heard on National Public Radio's "Performance Today" and on WNYC and WQXR in New York City and WBGH in Boston.

Born in Seoul, Korea, Lee made her professional debut at 14 with the Korean National Orchestra after becoming the youngest grand-prize winner at the prestigious National Competition, sponsored by the president of Korea.

She and Purvis met at the Juilliard School.

She and Purvis, along with violinist Ani Kavafian, have formed an ensemble called the Triton Horn Trio.

Those who attend the recital will receive a free copy of the silver anniversary edition of the Distinguished Graduate Award winners, being compiled by the foundation.

A similar edition was put out 10 years ago, Dumbaugh said. That edition won a Special Publications Award of Excellence from the Pennsylvania School Board Association, Dumbaugh said.

Also at the concert will be 11-by-14 framed photographs of each distinguished graduate, Dumbaugh said.

After the concert, those photographs will be relocated to a permanent place in the Butler Senior High School.

Tickets for the recital are $25 for adults and $10 for students and are available in advance at May's Music Shoppe on East Jefferson Street. They also are available by calling the foundation office at 724-214-3240.