The Death of Melody the Main Complaint in the Music Industry of Today Is the Loss of Musical Artistry

WE REPORT THE STINGING TRUTH

The Death of Melody The main complaint in the music industry of today is the loss of musical artistry. A unique and interesting melody is one of the main components to make a song into art. Yet many musicians are questioning the existence of fascinating melodies as intervals become shorter and repetition grows more constant. (Pngim.gcom) There are many places in history where one can track the beginning of Editors: melody. Whether it be ancient Hindustani music from the Indian Evan Heath ‘24 subcontinent or European music from the baroque period, melody has been Isabel Yang ‘24

in music for a very long time. It was Bella Aldo ‘24 widely used during the Classical Era in pieces including symphonies, fugues, and sonatas. The melody Writers: would develop musical layers under it as the song goes on. These layers and Tabitha Gray ‘24

variations would narrate a story. It Vedant Aryan ‘24 (Ovation press) took a true genius to compose such complex music. Will Bergherr Hall ‘24 Continued on Page 4 Leala Goodall ‘25 The Death of Melody (1,4) Don’t Forgetro your Metrocard (2) Isabel Yang ‘24 Horoscopes (2-3) Helpful Video Games (3) Meme of the month (3) Photography: 2 in 107 (4) A Week in DC (5) Jakob Ressler ‘24 The Rise of the VSCO Girl (5) Monthly Trends (6) Jumbles (7) (Wikipedia) pg. 1 #1. Aquarius (January 20 - February DON’T FORGETRO YOUR METROCARD 18): You are naturally empathetic and you have excellent insight into how An 8th Grader’s Guide to Surviving the Metro people work - this is both a blessing and By Isabel Yang a curse. This month, a friend or family member might seek to have a deeper Step 1: Don’t make your teachers body block the metro doors as they bond or romance. They may not be what are closing (speaking from personal experiences) they appear, but you can see through to what lies beneath. Step 2: Always remember to have money on your MetroCard, or you’ll #2. Pisces (February 19- March 20): have to use somebody else’s metro card and then get in trouble with You may start this month in a very security (also speaking from personal experiences) emotional state of mind. You often put Step 3: Don’t take your luggage on the metro, see step 1 for more your heart on the line, and your information (also speaking from personal experiences) emotional honesty is one of the things Step 4: Don’t go down the escalator, then up, and then back down again that people love about you, so don't hold back. Others may want you to be quiet, (again, speaking from personal experiences) but being your authentic self is the best Step 5: Don’t spend all your money on food, or else you will find option for you when in a conflict with yourself in step 2 again, see step 2 for more information someone. Step 6: Always thoroughly apply hand sanitizer after metro use, or else #3. Aries (March 21- April 19): The you will be contaminated with a disease (speaking from personal road ahead may be a mystery to you right now, but you can probably sense that experiences) changes are coming. It may feel exciting, Step 7: Never play Mario Kart Tour on the metro, or else you will get but not knowing what to expect can also lost (speaking from personal experiences) feel frightening. You will begin to see your path open up, and this will likely Now, skipping to the more important ones… occur through observations made Step 18,525,534,267: Never attempt to flee from the safety of your throughout the month. #4. Taurus (April 20- May 20): For chaperone, or they will not be pleased (once more, speaking from you, the central focus during this month personal experiences) will be on your home and family, which Step 18,525,534,268: Don’t bring bucket hats onto the metro, or else may not be pleasant right now. There people will judge you a lot (mark my words, this has happened to me may be some stress centered around one too many times to count) or both of those aspects of your life. An Step 18,525,534,269: If you need to walk a distance of 5 or more miles, expanding chasm between you and someone you love may be forming - but never use the metro, because you gotta burn those calories (speaking these distances might be a good thing. from personal experiences) #5. Gemini (May 21- June 20): A long-term friendship, perhaps one that The final stretch… has been with you since childhood, could Step 98,765,523,543,786,098: Don’t eat or drink any unknown be tested this month. Although you have avoided confronting each other, there is a substance found on the metro, or even any known substances, you may conflict brewing. You may not want to get sick (see steps 5 and 6 for a detailed summary) instigate friction, but that could be Step 98,765,523,543,786,099: Do not get off at the wrong stop - it will exactly what is needed. cause you much tiredness and exhaustion (speaking from personal #6. Cancer(June 21- July 22): Many experiences) Cancers have been burning the candle at Step 98,765,523,543,786,100: If you drop something on the metro, DO both ends for some time now. It isn't that you have been avoiding socializing - it's NOT PICK IT UP - see step 6 for any questions. more likely that you are spending a lot of time working intensely. You are most And finally… likely trying to catch up on some of your Step 1,389,752,894,569,248,950,923,685: Do not listen to anything this commitments that you are falling behind guide has been telling you. It's completely ridiculous, and if you on. You should try to slow down and believed it, shame on you. (except maybe the first seven ones, those are reflect on how to improve.

kinda true) Continued on next page…

(Photos from Wikipedia) pg. 2 #7. Leo(July 23 - August 22): You are strong and assertive, but you are also very much a people pleaser. You love being Helpful Video Games loved and adored, but you sometimes go overboard. You try to please others even if that means being unfair to yourself. You October’s Game: can still be adored when saying no. #8. Virgo (August 23 - September 22): You have been harboring a dream for a long time now. You may have tried to make your dream come true for some time, but this is a long and drawn-out process. You might be wondering if you can even make it happen without burning yourself out. Try scheduling brief moments in between your obligations to accomplish (redbubble) small steps. Yes, I will admit that it may seem strange for me to #9. Libra (September 23- October 22): It include this beat-em-up fighting crossover game, but may seem like your loved ones are competing for your attention. Maybe you believe it or not, it does have a place in this segment. You haven't been spending enough time with see, in the settings, you can change the language. Over the them in recent weeks or months. This summer, I changed it to Mandarin, so that I could start to month, you may have a chance to spend more time with these people. So even if get used to the language before I started school. Try you're tied up, try to make a conscious playing this helpful video game, and see if it works for effort to squeeze in some time with friends you. and family.

#10. Scorpio (October 23- November 21): Is romance on your mind? If it isn't -Will Bergherr-Hall yet, it will be soon. Your romantic possibilities depend on your unique circumstances. Your situation could result in finding new love or discovering amazing new facets of an existing relationship. #11. Sagittarius (November 22- December 21): You feel that you have been forced to reside on the sidelines for Meme of the Month: October quite some time in an area of your life that is very meaningful to you. This month, you may be called out to play again and the thought of returning after a break might seem daunting. You will find that once you jump back in, it will all come back to you naturally. #12. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Issues surrounding legal matters, contracts, or agreements could come up more than once in October. But this might be a good thing, as the conversations surrounding these matters will finally resolve some concerns of yours. Although there will be some frustrating things to deal with, if you remain calm, these new realizations will bring you what you desire. - Tab Gray (askideas.com) Paraphrased from Daily Horoscope App -Will Bergherr-Hall

pg. 3 The Death of Melody (cont.)

Continued from page 1…

Now melody has become endangered. Songs topping the charts are simply incomparable to older music. Instead of improving with musicality, this generation is hindering with musical artistry. Repetition and “bops” are valued more than artistry. It doesn’t matter what the song is about, it just matters whether it is catchy or not. The verses of the song “Bad Guy” features a single note sung five times and then three other notes for just one second. The chorus of the song “Thank u, next” has two notes sung almost 50 times in the same rhythm. The line between singing, whispering, and talking has been blurred which has created no definite notes.

There are some reasons why this may be positive - songs are easy to sing and dance to now. It can be sung by everyone, not just experienced singers. The simplicity in itself may have some beauty that can be played on to create both a catchy and unique sound. There is still hope for melody as it exists some other topping songs of today like “Old Town Road” and “Someone You Loved”. It is important to hope for melody to survive with the situation modern music is in.

(Pngimg.com) Vedant Aryan

Hello! And welcome to the first ever edition of 2 in 107. We asked 1 student each from the 7th and 8th grades some questions, and this is how they answered.

The first person who we interviewed was Alana Beerli from The next person we interviewed is Micha Mfuko from the class of 2025. the class of 2024. What is your favorite animal? What is your favorite animal? “My favorite animal is either a cat or a dog.” “A snow leopard.” Can you describe your class trip experience? Can you describe your class trip experience? “My experience in the trip was very good, I enjoyed all the “It was fun.” activities, especially the high ropes!” What was your favorite moment of this school year? What was your favorite moment of this school year? “The school year has just started.” “So far my favorite moment of seventh grade was field day with What is your favorite starburst flavor? our advocates!” “Pina colada.” What is your favorite starburst flavor? What is your favorite season? “My favorite starburst flavor is pink.” “Winter.” What is your favorite season? What sport do you play? “My favorite season is summer.” “Right now I play soccer, but I swim competitively.” What sport do you play? How many years have you been attending Hamden Hall? “For school, I play field hockey, basketball and softball.” “This is my second year.” How many years have you been attending Hamden Hall? “I’ve been at Hamden Hall for 6 years.” pg. 4 A Week in DC

Every year, the 8ths graders of Hamden Hall Country Day School go to America’s capital, Washington D.C. for an entire week. This tradition has been going on for years, and every year has been a blast. Every day students go to museums and monuments of their choice to visit exciting exhibits, or admire the brave souls who fought for our country.

Highlights of the trip: - DC Bus Tour ~ visit and learn about the - Shear Madness play at the JFK center ~ must see sites of DC, and enjoy a nighttime watch and enjoy a hilariously interactive look at the capitol murder mystery at what seems like an - Arlington Cemetery ~ observe the sea of innocent barber shop graves of over 400,00 people, and the - National Air and Space Museum ~ take a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the look at Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit, and names of the unknown lie even touch a piece of the moon - World War I and II, Vietnam, and Korean - The National Museum of African War memorials ~ honor the soldiers and American History and Culture ~ learn nurses who fought for our home about a great part of African American - Washington Monument, the Lincoln culture, including their impact on music, Memorial, and the Thomas Jefferson art, and the media. Experience a powerful memorials ~ amazing constructions to exhibit on slavery, and see the memorial remember great men in history of Emmett Till - The U.S. Capitol Tour ~ get an inside look - The National Museum of Natural History of the inner workings of the United States ~ look at the world before humans came government upon it - International Spy Museum ~ learn about - National Holocaust Museum ~ get a our countries confidential activities and moving look into the Holocaust and honor uncover a mysterious web of secrets the innocent lives of those lost

- Isabel Yang

The Rise of the VSCO Girl Do You Like VSCO Girls?

Is your closet filled with entirely too many oversized shirts? Do you have more than two HydroFlasks? Are your wrists numb from lack of circulation because you have seven scrunchies on each wrist? Then you might be a VSCO Girl. When asked whether they were VSCO girls, 78% of 41 Hamden Hall students responded no. When asked the question, 'What 50% do you think of Vsco girls' most people responded with the phrase “and I oop sksksksk” to mock the stereotype - they are not very popular. People have said they are the salt of the earth, and they are the absolute worst. However, some answers caught my eye. A few people said that 38.1% girls can be whatever they want and just because they dress a certain way shouldn’t define who they are and they shouldn’t be teased for it. 11.9% So what is the real essence of a VSCO Girl? That’s up to you to decide.

(Gander Outdoors, - Tab Gray Amazon, Kisscase) pg. 5 Song of the Month: Panini by TV Show of the Month: Lil Nas X Stranger things M

(Inverse.com) N Starburst Flavor of the Month: (Genius.com) Pink T

Honorable Mention:

Truth Hurts by Lizzo H

L (Candy Nation)

Y Artist of the Month: Lil Nas X Vedant Aryan (Wikipedia.com)

Movie of the Month:

Avengers Endgame T

(Billboard Magazine)

Video Game of the Month:

E Minecraft

(Engadget.com)

N Mr. C’s Quote:

(App Store) S Most Announcements: 7th Grade!!! pg. 6 pg. 7