Uncharacteristically anxious and jittery, a seemingly endless, blue-clad string of children formed four hastily organized rows in Arrowhead Elementary's gymnasium and awaited instructions Thursday.
"I need a few good men," said Arrowhead Elementary teacher Christopher Johnson. "It takes discipline and a lot of self control." With that, the children stood up straight and still.
With that, the group began the inaugural practice of the fifth year of Arrowhead's Colours program, an offshoot of the countywide troupe that teaches children leadership skills through arts education.
Through Colours, students from grades three through six sing, dance, step and act as an ensemble, while learning the importance of teamwork, structure, guidance and discipline. The result is rigorously choreographed and rehearsed musical revues cast with local youth bursting with spirit, but not necessarily talent.
Johnson, who coordinates Arrowhead's Colours program and teaches fifth- and sixth-grade special education at the school, will lead 42 students through discovering the performing arts and, more importantly, discovering themselves.
Rhythm, dexterity and a voice like Mariah Carey's are secondary in the Colours program, according to Jason Cook, the Prince George's County Public Schools Arts and Education Colours coordinator. "The whole point of the program is to develop stronger students and leaders. We just happen to use the arts as a tool."
The Arrowhead troupe was formed from students who submitted essays to Johnson on why they wanted to participate. Forty-two children submitted reasons ranging from possessing outstanding personalities to being hard-workers to a desire to try again next year if they didn't make it.
According to Johnson, the students who will continue the weekly, one-hour practices with the troupe demonstrate a commitment, focus and a willingness to learn.
The program, he said, is a vehicle for children to realize their potential. "The more they practice, the more their gifts become apparent," said Johnson.
The countywide Colours traveling troupe, headed by Cook, is comprised of youth in grades five through 11 who have a 2.0 grade point average and complete periodic creative homework assignments. The group rehearses after school and performs regularly at events throughout the region.
Arrowhead's Colours expects to perform at least four times this school year with the first performance in March, Johnson said.
E-mail Corilyn Shropshire at cshropshire@gazette.net.
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