I Will Dare

A few years ago, we published a song for the DARE programs around the country. It was met with such enormous success, that we determined it was time to put out yet another song specifically designed for your anti-substance abuse programs.

This song is mostly unison and is deliberately written in a range that will inspire your students to sing using their chest voices. This will allow them to really belt and sing with enthusiasm, which we hope they will do, given the subject matter. (It's also easier to rap and yell when going to and from a chest voice than a head voice.) The singers on the Performance/Accompaniment Cassette offer an excellent example of style. They are also a good reference for the rhythms during the chorus, which include some limited sixteenth note activity, as well as the rap section itself.

We have suggested that the rap be performed as a cumulative rap. We started with one rapper and added one at a time until there were 12 of them. You can do it exactly the same way, or you can have groups enter at predesignated spots in the rap. For the most ease of use, the rap can be performed in unison. Be sure your students gradually build from a softer dynamic at first to the end of the rap and the first yelling of the letters, "D-A-R-E!"

You will see that there is also a vocal ostinato in part 2 at the beginning of the rap section. This is optional, as our part 2 lines usually are. But since we feel it is really important and necessary to the impact of this section, we have doubled the part on the cassette with a "processed" male voice. That way, even if you choose not to use the sung version, it is still there and your kids will think it's way cool.

The next time the optional part 2 enters is the third time at measure 52. The part is very simple and natural and should be easy enough to learn. You could have a large group of students sing it, or just a few. You could even make it a solo, as long as it is heard. It might be of interest to you to note that it is also the first time in the song that the words, "I will dare" actually appear.

If you are using the cassette, your students are likely to pick out the nifty synthesizer lines we have added. The most notable is, of course, the one indicated on the score beginning in measure 5. There are actually quite a few more, but mostly they blend with the live rhythm section for maximum effect.

You will see that claps are indicated on the score during the choruses. These are also optional, but will add a lot to a performance in terms of letting your kids move and be involved with the music. Actual choreography, or other planned movement would work very well with this song, too. Your students will be able to tell you what works best and when. Consider alternating movements for various sections, or just adding some here and there. You could also feature one or more dancers during certain sections. Or you could add props, such as pompons, gloves, banners or streamers.

Another suggestion for this song would be to use the sign language that goes with the letters D-A-R-E. For your convenience, we have provided illustrations of these here.