Thank you for your interest in Tchá Degga Da, the Brazilian All-Star Drumline!  Since 2005 Tchá Degga Da has been teaching Rudimental Percussion throughout Brazil working toward building a group to take to WGI giving Brazilians the opportunity to compete at a professional level and spreading the Rudimental Percussion culture throughout Brazil.

In this site you can find information about our group, fotos, videos and the sheet music that we are working on.

For those who wish to help donating or purchase T-shirts, you can select the paypal options on the right side of the screen.

Thanks and happy navigating!   

Welcome to Tchá Degga Da! is a post from: Tcha Degga Da

“Awesome!!! Thanks Bill & Dynasty (www.dynastyband.com)!
We really will appreciate every beat on these drums!!! Finally these guys (and girls) will have the chance to play on a real tenor!”
-JOHN GRANT and TCHÁ DEGGA DA.

The Dream, Bill Bachman & Dynasty Changing Lives in Tchá Degga Da! is a post from: Tcha Degga Da

Tyler James Ellison, TDD Bass Drum Instructor

Tyler James Ellison, born June 26 1983 in American Fork, Utah, is husband to Kimie Hataba Ellison, with whom he has two children, Ricardo & William.  He currently lives in the state of São Paulo in Brazil and serves as the bass drum instructor with Tchá Degga Da.

Tyler’s parents, Jim and Bev, were always the most supportive and encouraging during all of his musical development, rarely if ever missing a performance and working hard to pay for his lessons, classes, trips, instruments, and other equipment. Tyler first began studying music under the tutelage of Jenifer Rasband, taking piano lessons from the age of seven.  Five years of piano study prepared him for his entry into the world of percussion upon beginning junior high school at the age of twelve.

He first picked up a pair of drumsticks during his time in the Summer Band Program for American Fork Junior High. He continued to study music under the direction of the new band director, Christine Wolf for all three years at the junior high school.  Deciding to take his study of percussion more seriously and begin his study of drumset, Tyler began taking private lessons from his band director’s husband, Heath Wolf.  In these lessons Tyler was introduced to different music styles including jazz, latin, rock, and funk. He also learned to analyze rhythm very scientifically through the publications of Kelly Wallis.  Tyler also competed in the Percussive Arts Society Festival for the State of Utah for the first time, presenting the marimba solo Furioso and Valse in D Minor by Earl Hatch.

Second Bass, American Fork High School 1998

Once initiated into the world of percussion, Tyler took his first step into marching percussion in 1998, joining the American Fork High School Marching Band, directed by John Miller.  It was here that Tyler met his first drumline instructor and future director of Tchá Degga Da, John Thomas Grant. Tyler played the second bass drum and was chosen as the bass drum section leader despite his rookie status among his peers.

Pre-performance Rehearsal 1998

In 1998 the American Fork High School Marching Band presented Victory at Sea Fanfare & Sea Chantey, Country Dance, and Rumba Rumba.  With this show, John, Tyler, and the rest of the band were awarded the State Championship of Open Division Marching Band in addition to several other competition titles, including top percussion caption trophy at every competition.  The band also competed at the Regional Bands of America competition in Las Vegas, winning recognition, going to finals, and winning the highest percussion score in both the preliminary competition and finals.

In 1999 the band performed movements from Tchaikovsky’s Ballet, Swan Lake and Tyler was named section leader of the drumline, playing the center snare drum.  As John had gone to working for Marimba One in California, the instruction of the percussion section over the summer months was left to Glenn Webb.  The band continued to win acclaim all over the state, and won first place at the Bands of America Regional Competition in Las Vegas.

American Fork High School Drumline 2000

In 2000, the band presented popular songs from the Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde and Tyler continued in his post as the center snare drum and percussion section leader.  The drumline had a new instructor that year, as Michael Huestis was available during the summer before taking a position as a high school band director in California.  The band performed admirably, winning many captions and trophies throughout the state of Utah. The band went on to win more acclaim and recognition at the Mission Viejo High School Marching Band Competition in California that year.

During his senior year of high school, Tyler was selected to play tympani for the Utah All-State High School Orchestra and performed in the Salt Lake City Tabernacle.  He also performed a tympani solo at the Utah State Percussive Arts Society Festival and was awarded with first place performance, receiving his prize from the hands of drumset legend Gregg Bissonette.  During his senior year of high school Tyler also performed with the Urban Percussion group from the Crescent School of Music directed by Mike Huestis, a fun an innovative group that didn’t last very long.  He also occasionally appeared to rehearse with other groups, but didn’t assume any commitments to participate.

BYU Cougar Drumline 2001

Upon graduation, Tyler auditioned to the Brigham Young University Marching Band “Power of the Wasatch” under the instruction of Randall Beach.  He was selected to play on the snare line, and during the 2001 season Tyler performed with the band at numerous football games in Provo, Las Vegas, and at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee.  The drumline also appeared at the Utah State Percussive Arts Society Festival for Marching Percussion where the BYU drumline won the admiration of legendary Blue Devils instructor Scott Johnson.

From the years 2002-2004 Tyler was called to serve on a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to São Paulo, Brazil.  Shortly before leaving he made one appearance in the American Fork Steel Days parade marching snare drum with the American Fork High School Alumni Marching Band.  While serving on his mission, he learned the portuguese language, became familiar with Brazilian culture, and acquired a love for Brazilian people that would guide his future.

Las Vegas Bowl, 2005

After returning from his mission, Tyler returned to Brigham Young University and marched on the snare line under the instruction of Fred McInnis for two more years on scholarship in fall of 2004 and 2005, performing at the Las Vegas Bowl in December of 2005. In spring of 2006, he met his Brazilian wife through the internet, returned to visit the country he loved and became engaged.  Tyler left his studies on pause while he sought to resolve his international family situation, and was married in March 2007 in Brazil.  The newlywed couple’s plans to immigrate didn’t work out, so Tyler and his family chose to remain in Brazil for a time and he launched his internet marketing consulting firm.

In October of 2009, an unusual string of coincidences reunited Tyler with his first drumline instructor, John Grant, who was also living in Brazil and had just so happened to schedule a clinic in the very city in which Tyler happened to be living. The two old friends joined forces and John invited Tyler to stay on with Tchá Degga Da as the bass drum instructor. He also uses his talents in internet websites and marketing to help the group build a brand and a presence that is respected worldwide by the rudimental percussion industry.

John Grant, Tyler Ellison, & Paul Stivitts

Tyler Ellison is a post from: Tcha Degga Da

Paul Stivitts

Paul Stivitts has been a drummer since age 8 when he first saw Buddy Rich perform on the Muppet Show. A consummate professional, he’s been performing, recording, teaching, directing, and composing music for more than 25 years.

Paul began his rudimental percussion experience at Live Oak High School in 1987. He was a snare drummer in the World Champion 1989-1990 (Ralph Hardimon, Glen Crosby, Scott Johnson), and the section leader for the Denver Blue Knights, 1992 (Ralph Hardimon, Ben Maughmer).  Then he graduated from The University of North Texas with a degree in Jazz Studies where he studied with renown teachers Tom Float, Paul Rennick, Jim Chapin, and Ed Soph.

Teaching Experience:

Private Percussion Instructor of Ridglea Music - Ft. Worth, TX, 2000-03

Hartwick Summer Music Institute - Oneanta, NY 1999-2002

UNT Yamaha Summer Drumset Workshop - Denton, TX 1996-2000

L. D. Bell High School- Hurst, TX 1994

Live Oak High School - Morgan Hill, CA 1990

Paul Stivitts is a post from: Tcha Degga Da

In 2001 John and his sister Michelle Grant arrived in Brazil with a group to study Capoeira and Brazilian culture for what was supposed to be a four month trip.  After four months they began to understand the language and decided to stay.

Living in Brazil, John and Michelle began working.  They started teaching English in schools in many different cities.  John also began working in a Brazilian musical instrument factory teaching them how to make Marimbas, Xylophones, Vibraphones and other percussion keyboard instruments.  By working in the factory, John began to meet people involved in the music industry and John and Michelle began to help teach percussion in bands throughout the country.

Bands in Brazil were similar to concert bands in the United States only with very limited access to quality instruments and information.  On the release of the film ‘Drumline’ a new culture in Brazil was born.  Many groups were to formed inspired by what they saw in the film.  Rudimental percussion equipment is very expensive in Brazil and very difficult to find to the groups end up using the instruments they have available.  Rudimental Percussion did not exist in Brazil in neither did the instruments used in rudimental percussion.

In 2004 John and Michelle bought a lathe and started making drum sticks and practice pads in their garage for the kids.  American sticks and pads were so expensive by the time they got to Brazil that it was impossible for the kids to buy.  Many different types of Brazilian wood were tested but nothing came close to Hickory and still quality sticks were desired and needed.

In teaching these groups John and Michelle noticed that generally each band had one or two kids that really studied and really wanted to know more about rudimental percussion and music theory but were being held back in their bands or groups.

The idea came about to have a Sunday ‘rehearsal’ where each of these more advanced kids could come together and have the opportunity to play with other people at the same level of interest and have the opportunity to receive more advanced information.

After a few of these Sunday rehearsals it became apparent that these rehearsals needed to be full weekend rehearsals.  People were coming from across the country to participate and to provide more information it was decided to try to have “camps” similar to ‘Drum Corps’ camps where the kids would have the opportunity to play together for a full weekend and to receive more information.  These camps have lasted up to 11 days.

In these monthly camps/workshops a group began forming and the name “Tcha Degga Da” was decided upon, using the musical notation of the rudiment known as a “Flam Drag” as a logo, a great rudiment to teach a person starting to play rudimental percussion.  The idea was that maybe people would come to the camps already knowing how to play and read at least a “Flam Drag”.  It works.

After a few years of having these weekend rehearsals and teaching in many different bands and groups of percussion throughout Brazil John and Michelle had opportunity to meet Patrick Seidling and to teach a workshop together with him.  Mr. Seidling is involved in the Drum and Bugle Corps community in the United States and gave the idea to ‘take these kids to WGI’.

Some of the kids attending these camps are really starting to play at an advanced level and if this work continues it will be possible to give these kids the opportunity to compete at a high level.  A few kids have actually gone out to the United States and played in DCI (Drum Corps International).

In 2009 Tcha Degga Da was invited to play in a clinic for three days at the Conservatory of Music in Tatui, Sao Paulo.  Video recordings of these clinics were posted on the internet where a national television station saw them and invited Tcha Degga Da to play in the television program “Brazil’s got Talent” (Qual e o Seu Talento).  Tcha Degga Da went on to the semi-final competition and received attention and recognition throughout Brazil and in the world.

Tcha Degga Da has had up to 140 students at a camp and as little as 12.  Each camp is held at different locations.  Sometimes it is necessary to rent a house to rehearse, sometimes schools are available.  The costs of food and rent are divided and everyone involved helps to pay to keep Tcha Degga Da going.  There have been camps in many different states and cities throughout Brazil.  Tcha Degga Da has had the opportunity to teach hundreds of people since formation in 2005.

The instruments used in the camps are borrowed from schools or bands of the students who come to the camps.  Tcha Degga Da has had many camps with no instruments where the kids played on the ground or even set up a board on saw horses.  In 2010 Offworld Percussion sponsored Tcha Degga Da with 20 professional practice pads as a donation to the kids.  To decide who would get a pad the kids posted videos on facebook as a competition and received constructive comments from teachers and professionals throughout the world.  This attention really helps and makes a difference.  Kids who are unable to attend camps send videos to receive instructional information.  These videos are also utilized to help other people learn the exercises that are posted on our site.  A person can very easily find a video of the exercise they want to study just by looking for “Tchadeggada” and the name of the exercise they want to study.

Tchá Degga Da is a non-profit organization. The group is maintained by the members and teachers paying their own way to participate.  Any support or help really makes a difference.

For more information: Send an email to JOHN GRANT at:

tchadeggada@yahoo.com

Thank You!

*****************************************************************

History is a post from: Tcha Degga Da

John Grant - Blue Devils - '96

JOHN GRANT

Born in the state of Utah – USA

 Always with the support of his parents, John started his music career taking piano lessons as a child.

John always admired his older brother playing drum set and waited for him to leave the house to sneak in a few beats where he discovered his talent and passion with percussion.

John studied music education at the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas and at the University of Utah.  John graduated high school from Pleasant Grove High School with honors.

John started his drum corps career on the Bass Line at the Marauders Drum and Bugle Corps Longveiw, Washington in 1993 and returned to the Marauders in 1994 to play on the Snare Line.

In 1996 John played on the Snare Line for The Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, crowned champions at DCI finals, overall and high percussion. www.bluedevils.org

John Grant - Snare Line Blue Devils '96

As Percussion Caption Head and arranger John led his groups to win high percussion at the ‘Western State Championships’ in Utah four years in a row; in 1995 with Pleasant Grove High School and in 1996, ’97 and ’98 with American Fork High School. 

John, with the Brazilian rudimental percussion group ’Tchá Degga Da’ performing at the Music Conservatory of Tatuí-São Paulo at a workshop.  John played a snare solo and drew applauses and cheers from the crowd of musicians at the Conservatory of Tatuí. (vídeo/link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgpK8ybetbo) 

John recently appeared on Brazilian national television on “Brazil’s got Talent” with the Brazilian Nation All-Star Drum Line “Tchá Degga da” and were semifinalists on the program.

Tchá Degga Da - Semifinalist in the Program "Brazil's got Talent" - 2010

John Grant

John also has an extensive knowledge in construction of percussion instruments such as Marimba, Xylophones, Vibraphones, Bells, drums and drum sticks. John has worked in renowned instrument manufacturing companies in California, Rio Claro, São Paulo – Brazil and Tianjin, China.

 John is also currently the president of DCB (Drum Corps Brasil).

John currently teaches in many different bands in Brazil, and in the USA has taught:

Kadoudal Drum and Bugle Corps, Quiberon France 2011
Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, Madison, Wisconsin 2007, 2008
Freelancers – Sacramento, California 2007, 2008
Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps – Casper, Wyoming 1998
Utah Valley State College - Orem, UT 1996
American Fork High School – American Fork, Utah 1996-1998
Pleasant Grove High School – Pleasant Grove, Utah 1995
Lehi High School, Lehi, Utah 1994

Enter in contact with John at tchadeggada@yahoo.com

John Grant - Director

 JOHN GRANT:   “Here is Brazil there is so much natural talent and potential! With “Tchá Degga Da” we want to find and train the people who really want to achieve the level to represent Brazil. With practice and dedication we will represent Brazil in the rudimental percussion world and raise the level of all bands in Brazil.”

JOHN GRANT-Director is a post from: Tcha Degga Da

 Thanks:   

	Hataba Prime www.hatabaprime.com.br Thanks to our friends Tyler and Kimie Ellison for the creation of our site, for supporting, helping and dedication to Tchá Degga Da. E-mail: admin@hatabaprime.com.br
	Chilli Beans www.chillibeans.com.br Thanks for all the support and incentive from Caito Maia and the staff at Chilli Beans in the ’2.0′ convention at Credicard Hall and in our future together!
	Paul Stivitts E-mail: pstivitts@gmail.com Paul has come out to Brasil on his own just to help Tchá Degga Da in our camps and has never asked for anything in return. When he returns to the USA continues to look for ways to help us, he has brought sticks, pads and of coarse information, techniques and ‘familia TDD’ has had the chance to have alot of fun learning with Paul! Thanks Paul!
	OffWorld Percussion www.offworldpercussion.com Thanks to Offworld Percussion for the incentive, for the practice pads and hats given to us in our ‘win a pad’ contest we had on facebook!  Really, the best practice pads in the world! Thanks to Dave Lauder at Offworld!
	Colégio Cristo Rei – Presidente Prudente www.colegiocristoreipp.com.br Thanks to the school “Colégio Cristo Rei” from Presidente Prudente, São Paulo and to their percussion teacher, Zé Ricardo (TDD Tenor Line) for loaning their instruments!
	SENAI - Limeira Thanks to Maestro Júnio Villas boas and to Edi Carlos Rodrigues “Thedy” (TDD Bass Line) for loaning us their instrumets and stands and for the constant support!
	RMV www.rmv.com.br Thanks to RMV for supplying heads for our Tenor Line!
	LUEN www.luen.com.br Thanks to Luen who has supplied heads for our Tenor Line.
	VIC FIRTH www.vicfirth.com Thanks to Vic Firth who through our contacts, Matt Power and Frank Oddis have supplied us a set of bass mallets and a number of snare are tenor sticks.
	VATER www.vater.com Thanks to Vater for the discount on a number of snare drum sticks and bass mallets. Thanks to Matt Power, John Donovan, Paul Stivitts and Chad Cunningham for making this happen.
	Enviro Chemie www.envirochemie-br.com Thanks to our friend Cleibson Moreira and Enviro Chemie for the incentive and support.
	Prefeitura de Sorocaba Thanks to Rosária Simões for furnishing a rehearsal site and supplying transportation to our shows on TV and at DCB (Drum Corps Brasil).
	ADAH   Thanks to ADAH for the instrument sponsor 2005 to 2007.www.adahmusical.com.br
Families and friends Tchá Degga Da:	Família TDD: Last but not least we would like to thank our families and friends who are indispensable in everything we do. Tchá Degga Da would not exist without the help and support of our family and friends in all of Brasil and throughout the world.

Thanks To: is a post from: Tcha Degga Da

‘Click on each option to access sheet music’ 

Music: 

Music is a post from: Tcha Degga Da