Master Sergeant Christopher Rettie is a native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts from Louisiana State University in saxophone performance with a minor in wind conducting. Additionally, he holds a master's degree from LSU and a bachelor’s degree from Murray State University, both in saxophone performance. His primary teachers and mentors include Griffin Campbell, Frank Wickes, Scott Erickson, and Dennis Johnson.
Master Sgt. Rettie has been a member of the West Point Saxophone Quartet since his arrival to the band in 2001 and is also a co-founder of the award-winning Red Stick Saxophone Quartet. As both a soloist and a chamber musician, he has performed in recitals and concerts and given masterclasses throughout the country. His performances of world and American premieres include works by Paul Hayden, Jacob Ter Veldhuis, Perry Goldstein, Stephen David Beck, and Dinos Constantinides. Additionally, Master Sgt. Rettie has been a featured performer with the West Point Band, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Wind Ensemble, Long Island Symphonic Winds, Virginia Wind Symphony, Louisiana Sinfonietta, Louisiana State University Wind Ensemble, Louisiana State University Orchestra, and the Murray State University Wind Ensemble. His recordings can be heard on the West Point, Louisiana State University, New Tertian, and Caliente labels.
Master Sgt. Rettie's other musical interests include conducting chamber ensembles from the West Point Band in repertoire from the harmoniemusik era to the present day. In addition, he is the instructor of saxophone, clarinet, and woodwind ensemble at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.
