On June 15, 16 and 17, 36 teen bands participating in the Needham-based Plugged In Teen Band Program will be performing at "Musically Minded," a concert benefiting brain tumor research at Mass General Hospital, a cause selected by the Plugged In teens. Twelve different bands will be performing on each night. 

The concert will be held in the James Hugh Powers Hall, on the second floor of Town Hall, at 1471 Highland Ave. Times are 6:30-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4:30-9 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets will be sold at the door and cost $5 for students, $10 for seniors, $20 for adults (cash, check or charge).

Lucy Rubin, a Plugged In student, presented the Mass General brain tumor research to her fellow students as a possible recipient cause for the concert. Rubin's father was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in September 2011.  

"This experience of having my peers at Plugged In rally to support the MGH research has meant so much to me," she said. "It was hard for me that there was nothing I could do to help my father. By performing in a  concert that is going to raise money for a study that could have a direct positive effect on my father's treatment, I feel like I am helping him. It has been a wonderful experience to have the Plugged In community support me and my family during the time."

Rubin and a number of other Plugged In students participated in a songwriting workshop, where they wrote songs for a CD that will be sold to raise money for the brain tumor study.

Plugged In is a nonprofit teen rock band program dedicated to showing young artists how to make positive social change through their music. Plugged In provides a nurturing, supportive community for young artists looking for a sense of belonging, a safe place to express themselves and an ego free, competition free environment in which they can use their creative talents to help others.

In addition to intensive weekly band classes, song-writing workshops, and community performances, Plugged In produces three benefit concerts annually, at which Plugged In students perform to raise money for various charitable organizations and causes chosen by the students. At the start of every session students are introduced to the charitable mission of Plugged In. 

The youth are encouraged to present a charity that they feel deserves to be recognized for the special work they do. The Plugged In community then votes on these charities. The winner becomes the focus of each session's Benefit Concert. 

This session's concert will benefit a special research study at Mass General Hospital. This study aims to improve the care and treatment of individuals dealing with brain tumors by using advanced MRI techniques.

The treatment of brain tumors is a complex process of management, treatment and observation. To ensure a treatment plan is working MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans are often used to evaluate a patient's progress. However, after some types of treatment common MRI scans can give inaccurate or even false readings.  Information gathered through these scans plays an important role in a patient's treatment experience so the scan's accuracy is vital. 

The study Plugged In will be supporting is developing a system to accurately scan brain tumors post treatment.  With more reliable information treatment can be gauged more effectively. Once developed the doctors behind the study hope that it will improve overall care and quality of life for those dealing with an already devastating disease.

Click here to see a list of all of the charities considered for this session’s benefit concert.

For those interested in learning more about the concert and/or Plugged In, visit www.pluggedinband.org, e-mail srizkallah@comcast.net or call 781-956-4281.  

Plugged In's summer session goes from June 25 to July 27 with day or evening classes available. Applications for the summer session are still being accepted.