GROVES: Ballah chosen for MSBOA Honors Orchestra

BEVERLY HILLS, Mich. — Groves High School senior Nia Ballah has been selected to perform with the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association's (MSBOA) Honors Chamber Orchestra, joining elite student musicians from across the state at the upcoming MSBOA spring honors festival.

The prestigious event will be held Friday, May 9 at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

"This is an extremely rare and high honor," said Paul Shawver, Groves Director of Orchestras. "This is equal to being named an all-state student athlete. We couldn't be more proud of Nia for this amazing opportunity."

Ballah earned her position following an impressive performance at the MSBOA State Solo & Ensemble Festival, where students are evaluated based on proficiency scores.

The MSBOA has expanded this year's spring honors festival to include three honors chamber ensembles — woodwind, brass and string — providing more opportunities for Michigan's top young musicians. These select groups perform under the direction of university faculty, giving students valuable exposure to collegiate-level instruction.

The festival showcase will feature winners of the Outstanding Soloist Competition, Outstanding Small Ensemble Competition, Outstanding Jazz Combo and members of all three Honors Chamber Ensembles.

For Ballah, the selection represents the culmination of years of musical dedication and places her among the state's most accomplished high school musicians as she prepares to conclude her senior year.