Strike up the band

Strike Up

The Band

English High Marching Band tuba player Isiah Fitzgerald-Johnson, 17, of Jamaica Plain joked with Keishawn Guillaume, 16, of Jamaica Plain (right) before the start of band practice in Jamaica Plain. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Members of the English High Marching Band practiced in formation in Jamaica Plain. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

English High School Director of Visual and Performing Arts Eytan Wurman (center) gave the Marching Band a pep talk at the end of practice. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Marching Band member and football player Keishawn Guillaume, 16, of Jamaica Plain danced with members of the football team during a pep rally at English High School in Jamaica Plain. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Band Director David Carkner (center) and Miasia Kemp, 16, of Mattapan (right) reacted as Nia Richardson, 16, of Roxbury (left) placed her bandana over her hat as band members got their uniforms for the first time. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Director of Visual and Performing Arts Eytan Wurman helpted a marching band member zip up her jacket. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Band Director David Carkner tried to get the members of the drum line to stop playing and put their instruments away following practice. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Marching band member Michelle Beltre, 15, of Boston. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Band member Miasia Kemp, 16, of Mattapan met Boston Mayor Martin Walsh during a pep rally. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Band members Miasia Kemp, 16, of Mattapan (left) and Nia Richardson, 16, of Roxbury danced before the start of a pep rally. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Band member Arianna Fernandes, 17, of Dorchester laughed with other members of the marching band as they waited for the start of a pep rally. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Band member Nia Richardson, 16, of Roxbury wet the reed of her saxophone as she prepared for practice. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

A flute case lay on a chair surrounded by shoes as members of the English High Marching Band got their uniforms for the first time. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Band members, from left, Santiago Martinez, 16, Nia Richardson, 16, of Roxbury, Miasia Kemp, 16, of Mattapan, and Lashonda Cottrell, 16, of Boston marched to the practice field. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

A member of the Marching Band tried to warm his hands during practice. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Band members Santiago Martinez, 16, Miasia Kemp, 16, of Mattapan, and Nia Richardson, 16, of Roxbury hugged to stay warm during practice. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)