It seems as if Ted Brown Music is running a School of Rock. Literally.

This Saturday, Aug. 10, is the culmination of an intensive, eight-week music program called Live It Outloud, produced by Ted Brown Music Outreach and sponsored by Ted Brown Music Company. The program - now in its third year - begins with an evaluation of each student that places them into bands with other participating students. The program's finale is a professional-level battle of the bands at The Pantages Theater featuring all 13 of the underage bands participating in the program. The group's performances - featuring two original songs and one cover - will be judged by a panel of industry professionals based on performance, songwriting, talent and overall presentation.

The Live It Outloud program began in 2011 and has become a highly revered music program from which participants take away valuable skills, knowledge, experience and even a chance at earning high school and college fine arts credits.

Rehearsals for the final performance began June 15. The bands are provided with mentors that supervise and assist them throughout the entire rehearsal process. These rehearsals, taking place in both Ted Brown Music stores and Rehearsal Works in Sumner, are held in practice spaces completely outfitted with professional sound systems, keyboards, amps and drums.

The students also attend a series of seminars, with topics ranging from songwriting, stage performance, studio work, the business aspects of music, promoting your band and shooting music videos. Additionally, there are seminars for guitar, vocals, drums and keyboard. A highlight of last year's Live It Outloud program was a visit from Lee Mars of Nine Inch Nails, who spent time in the studio with the students teaching them about mixing.

Another important part of the program is required club performances, which help prepare the students for their final performance at The Pantages. These performances took place July 21 at Jazzbones in Tacoma, July 28 at Louie G's in Fife and Aug. 4 at Rehearsal Works in Sumner.

During the final performance at The Pantages this Saturday, students will experience the full concert setting, including stage lights, sound and roadies.

But the opportunities for these students don't end at the conclusion of the concert. Following the final performance, each band will be able to record one of its original songs at Tacoma's Pacific Studios. The first place band will receive 16 additional hours of studio time, and the 2nd and 3rd place bands will receive six additional hours of time at Pacific Studios.

The show is Aug. 10 from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.broadwaycenter.org, at The Pantages box office or by phone at 253.591.5894. At $15 per seat, all proceeds go to the nonprofit organization Ted Brown Music Outreach to fund educational and musical instrument programs.