September 11, 2026
Butler School of Music saxophone master’s student Andrew Stine recently won the audition for principal saxophonist with the world-renowned Dallas Winds.
For Stine, the opportunity is especially meaningful. A native of Wisconsin, he grew up listening to Dallas Winds albums and live recordings with his family. Now, the first time he hears the ensemble in person will be from his chair as a member of the saxophone section.
Music has always been a family affair for Stine. His mother is a professional pianist, and two of his three siblings are professional saxophonists. His older brother, SSG Chance Stine, performs with the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band “Pershing’s Own” and has been one of Andrew’s most important mentors and inspirations.
Chance is also a Butler alumnus, and it was his recommendation that helped lead Andrew to Associate Professor of Saxophone Stephen Page and the Butler School of Music. To Andrew, the most important trick to being successful (other than practicing) is surrounding yourself with role models.
Andrew Stine outside the Butler School of Music, where he studies with Associate Professor of Saxophone Stephen Page
“Having an example of what you should be doing, what you should be sounding like, and what it means to be putting in the work is, I think, one of the biggest things,” Stine said. “So finding someone to be a mentor or teacher is really important.”
Winning the Dallas Winds position required Stine to make it through three rounds of auditions, all in a single day.
“It was a very long day,” Stine recalled. “The first round started at 8 in the morning, with the final round starting around 5 p.m.”
The first two rounds were judged by members of the Dallas Winds saxophone section and principal players from other sections. For the final round, Artistic Director and Conductor Jerry Junkin joined the panel as the final three candidates competed for the position.
Junkin was already a familiar face to Stine through his work with the Butler School of Music Wind Ensemble. That experience helped make the final round a little less intimidating.
Andrew Stine outside the band hall where he rehearses with Jerry Junkin and the Butler Wind Ensemble
“He is one of my favorite conductors to work with because he is very into business,” Stine said. “He holds the ensemble to a very high standard, and he is also a fantastic musician.”
Stine also credits Butler saxophone professor Stephen Page with helping him prepare for the audition. Page remained part of Stine’s support system throughout the long audition day, with the two exchanging text messages throughout the entire day.
Winning the position doesn't mean Stine has to put his master's degree on hold.
Rather than relocating to Dallas, he will continue his studies at Butler this year while traveling to Dallas for rehearsals and performances. The arrangement is possible thanks to family in the area: Stine has cousins who live nearby and have offered him a place to stay in their home whenever he is in town.
For a student still completing his graduate degree, the opportunity provides a rare chance to gain professional experience with a world-renowned ensemble while continuing his education at Butler.
And for Stine, joining the Dallas Winds is more than simply landing a prestigious job. It represents the culmination of years of listening, practicing, and learning from the musicians who came before him—including his own brother.
His advice to other young musicians is to seek out those examples.
“Who are doing the things you want to do?” Stine said. “Luckily for me, I had my brother, who did everything that I did, but six years ahead of me.”
That example, he says, showed him not only what was possible, but what it takes to get there.