Axel Guerrero Hinojosa, an eighth grade student at Bella Romero Academy, won the Magic Baton Melody Contest hosted by the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Hinojosa was recognized during the Superintendent’s Honor Roll at the January 12, 2026 Board of Education meeting. 

The GPO Composer in Residence, Dylan Fixmer, helps oversee the Magic Baton Melody Contest, said GPO Director Ben Barnhart. Fixmer goes into schools and helps students learn how to compose melodies. The students are then encouraged to submit their melody to the contest.

This year, the GPO received 118 entries for the contest, and Axel’s melody was selected, not only for the recognition, but to be played at a GPO concert. 

“One of our goals is to provide music education in the community,” Barnhart said. “This program helps us teach students about composing, and about careers in music.”

“This is exciting, because we get to celebrate our students making music collaboratively with our community,” said Kathy Azari, coordinator of music and other specials for District 6. 

Congratulations, Axel!