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Year of the NCO Celebration at West Point
Master Sergeant Gary McCourry, baritone saxophone in the Jazz Knights, is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attended Western Michigan University, where he completed his Bachelor of Music, majoring in Applied Saxophone, Music Education, and Jazz Studies. Master Sgt. McCourry also holds a Master of Music from Indiana University, where he studied saxophone with the renowned Eugene Rousseau. Upon graduation from Indiana University in 1986, Master Sgt. McCourry was selected as alto and soprano saxophonist for the West Point Concert Band, a position he enjoyed for nine years. In 1995, he became the baritone saxophonist for West Point’s Jazz Knights. As a member of the Jazz Knights, Master Sgt. McCourry wrote numerous arrangements, organized jazz clinics for students and educators, publicized concerts, and was frequently featured as a soloist. He served as the Jazz Knights Group Leader from 2005-2008. Upon retirement, Gary will move to Michigan where he intends to freelance and teach in the Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Chicago area. He also looks forward to performing contemporary worship services at his new church in Grand Rapids. Additionally, Gary intends to embrace retirement by to taking oil painting classes, pursue his love of gardening and hiking, and spend more time with family members, including his eight nieces and nephews.
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Master
Sergeant Harry Ditzel, from Allentown, Pennsylvania, arrived to the
West Point Band in 1984. He holds a Bachelor of Music in music
performance from the New School of Music in Philadelphia. In addition to
his duties as principal horn of the Concert Band, Master Sgt. Ditzel
played in over 200 performances as a member of the Heritage Brass
Quintet. During Master Sgt. Ditzel’s 25-year career, he was showcased as
soloist nearly 30 times, including the world premiere performance of
Joseph Bertolozzi’s The Contemplation of Bravery. Harry is also a
member of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, and is an active soloist and
chamber music performer throughout the Northeast. He has performed with
such artists as James Taylor, Roberta Flack, Moody Blues, ELO (Electric
Light Orchestra), Robert Goulet, and Tony Randall; and recorded with Jay
Ansill, Richard Schulman, John Cale, Danielle Woerner, and the Albany
Symphony Orchestra. Upon retirement, Harry will continue to freelance in
the New York metropolitan area; and remain living in the Hudson Valley
with his wife, West Point Band flutist Master Sgt. Julie Ditzel, and his
children, Allie, Harrison, and Olivia Rose. 
Master
Sergeant Gerald Cates, from Tullahoma, Tennessee, has been a member
of the West Point Band since June of 1989. He received a Bachelor of
Music from Tennessee Technological University, and a Master of Music
from the University of Illinois. During his 20-year career at West
Point, Master Sgt. Cates performed extensively with the West Point Tuba
Quartet, Regimental Brass Quintet, including tours to Norway, Michigan,
Utah, Kansas, and Minnesota. In addition to his musical duties, Master
Sgt. Cates served as the librarian for the Concert Band. Upon
retirement, Gerald will to return to Tennessee with his wife, Diana, and
daughter, Candice, where he intends to freelance and teach.
