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The 130-plus member Nampa Kiwanis RAD Kids Choir delivers its powerful anti-drug message last week to students at Liberty Charter School. The renown musical group caps off its Say “No!” to Drugs! Do the Right Thing! Reach Awesome Dreams!” campaign with a free public performance at 7 p.m. tonight at the Nampa Civic Center.
Dan Lea/IPT
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Dan Lea
dlea@idahopress.com
Monday, May 18th, 2009

NAMPA —" What does RAD stand for?" quizzes Bette Dale Moore of her student audience at Liberty Charter School.

"Race against drugs" they scream in response.

Then Moore turns to her 130-member RAD Kids Choir and asks them the same question. "RACE AGAINST DRUGS!" is their thunderous reply.

For nearly two decades Moore's RAD Kids Choir has delivered their dramatic musical campaign against drugs, gangs, alcohol and smoking. Tonight the 130 fifth and sixth grade performers from Liberty and Victory Charter Schools culminate their tour with a free public performance of "Race Against Drugs" at the Nampa Civic Center.

This spring the RAD choir brought its high-energy production to five elementary schools and several thousand students. Written, orchestrated and directed by Moore, the RAD performance blends humor, inspirational songs, gymnastics, dance and drama in a program that encourages students to make positive life choices.

"We want our audiences to remember what they see, what they hear and what they respond to emotionally," Moore said. "But, truth be known ... the kids who participate in RAD are actually the biggest recipients of the program. For 3-1/2 months these kids have lived and breathed this program every day after school. We have incredible discussions in the classroom as well ... kids talking about people they love who have been hurt by drugs ... kids — sometimes in tears — vowing to never do drugs and to take a stand for what is right."

Moore constantly tweaks the RAD script to keep it relevant. "I rework the script every year ... making adjustments for changes in talent: drama, soloists, dancers and gymnasts, she explained. In the past couple of years, I've put in more about the dangers of Meth and updated the gang information to make it as realistic as possible."

This year's performance features stirring musical numbers, vocal solos, humorous antics, and a thought-provoking dramatization. There's even a break dance routine and gymnasts flipping all over the stage.

"RAD utilizes all the areas of learning to get its message across," Moore said. "It's visual, auditory, kinesthetic ... and emotional. When you attach an emotion to a concept you want they to learn they retain it a lot longer. The gang scene, and the telling of the "Snake" ballad are scary for young kids," she added. "When you ask them what they remember about the show those two things are always mentioned. But, they also remember the things that make them laugh."

Moore said the physical humor and funny facial expressions are aimed at the humor of the day. "All these things are carefully edited and adjusted each year during the rehearsal process," Moore said. "A lot of the changes come from the kids themselves."

Each year Moore produces a professional quality video/DVD for the choir as a lasting memory of their commitment to do the right thing. "I've been doing this so long now that some of the original RAD kids have kids of their own ... so the DVD is being shown to the next generation. Pretty cool!"

Tracey Edenfield, music specialist from Victory Charter School joins Moore as assistant director. Stacy Irwin is the Master choreographer and Jackie Hammerich is the gymnastics coach.

For the past 18 years RAD has toured extensively throughout Idaho, delivering its strong anti-drug message to grade schools, universities, teachers' conventions, and nationally sponsored drug rallies. They joined Milton Creagh and KTVB in the "Enough Is Enough" and "March Against Meth" televised campaigns, and shared the stage with the Harlem Globetrotters for the Humanitarian Bowl awards.

In addition to sponsorships from Liberty and Victory Charter schools, RAD is supported by the Nampa Kiwanis Club and the City of Nampa.