In September, Taylor Swift shocked the world when she attended a football game played by Kansas City Chiefs football tight end Travis Kelce. Their whirlwind romance, from meeting the mothers to shoutouts during concerts, has since become a hot-button topic of conversation, leaving Americans from Alabama to Alaska polarized, asking seemingly unanswerable questions: did she put him on the map? Is he a simp? And, most importantly: is he the one? Today, we’ll see if we can expect a “Swelce” wedding by looking at the 6 most important factors in getting to the altar.

The first factor in any given relationship is, of course, attraction and chemistry. Given their constant PDA, it’s safe to check that box off.

As relationships progresses beyond initial attraction, people will want to share more of themselves with each other, leading to feeling comfortable together. Swift and Kelce have certainly done this, meeting each other’s parents, spending holidays together, and parading each other before beloved fans.

According to GHS Health teacher Ms. D’Agostino, “If partners are unable or unwilling to effectively and respectfully communicate with each other about their needs, feelings, ideas, and opinions, their relationships will often be strained.” Unfortunately, while it may seem that as a songwriter, Swift would be a great communicator, songs such as “Back To December” and “You’re Losing Me” demonstrate that she doesn’t tell her boyfriends how she feels until it’s too late. According to hopeful Swifties, though, Kelce’ openness and love might finally be enough to change her in this regard.

Most couples aren’t interested in the exact same things, but they don’t have to have all the same hobbies and passions as their better half, according to psychologists, as long as they support and encourage them. Kelce and Swift are a prime example of that, famously going to each other’s concerts and games.

In the long-term, a too-often overlooked indicator is similar values in important areas such as religion, politics, and family. Kelce and Swift are both Christians and Democrats. They highly value their families, with both pairs of parents attending their concerts and games and Kelce hosting a podcast with brother Jason Kelce. It’s also important to want the same things out of life. Swift and Kelce have both recently said that they want marriage and kids with each other.

Work and finances pose a significant threat to Swift and Kelce' “Love Story.” Despite their individual success in their respective fields, they balance their busy schedules. But when children inevitably come into the picture, will Swift keep on touring, neglecting her family life? Her time isn’t infinite, and chances are she’ll have to make a lot of sacrifices in her home life and career. In Swift’s previous six-year relationship with C-list actor Joe Alwyn, she wasn’t willing to make a sacrifice at home. Additionally, the disparity in their net worths, with Swift estimated to be a billionaire and Kelce having $40 million, adds another red flag. Ms. D’Agostino told the Beak, “Money can be a sensitive topic for many, especially when earnings are not even among partners. As relationships get more serious and involved, this can get increasingly complicated.” We know “All Too Well” that this is especially true for men, according to CNBC. Kelce, nearing retirement, will surely experience a decline in fame outside of his association with Swift, which once again echoes Swift's relationship with Alwyn, who kept her out of the public eye and ultimately ended. If Kelce wakes up one morning at the age of forty and realizes that he is only known as Swift's “Lover,” it could lead to the end of their relationship.

All in all, Swift and Kelce are compatible and likely to get married and start a family, but Swift’s work and Kelce’ lesser fame and income could likely drive Swift away from her family and drive Kelce towards resentment. Of course, Swift will then begin to resent her husband and it’ll only be a matter of time before they get divorced. Not too bad for a first marriage!

Olivia Rodrigo has made a roaring return with her sophomore album GUTS. This 2000s-inspired indie-alternative album clearly draws upon her influences like pop icon Taylor Swift, 90s power rock The Smashing Pumpkins, and pop-grunge sensation Courtney Love. The album immediately shot up to the number-one spot on the Billboard 200. The album was prefaced by two singles: power ballad "Vampire" and angsty-rock "Bad Idea Right?" The first track, "All American B***h" starts the album with a beautiful light guitar riff intro that transitions into a hard-rock angsty hit. It is a perfect first track with its mixture of loudness and delicacy. The outro ends it back on that serene note with angelic harmonies. Track two, "Bad Idea Right?" goes the opposite direction, starting off with a striking guitar riff. Its bombastic chorus is full of ostentatious drums perfectly juxtaposed with her light voice. This song's intensity fits very well with its petty, almost joking lyrics. The album is brought back down with Track three, Vampire", a vulnerable power ballad and what seems to be this album's attempt at being Rodrigo's previous hit, "Drivers License." The soft and pleading piano gives all the more drive behind her hurt and vulnerable voice. The beat drop is what makes this song all the better, making her begging and hurt all the more prevalent. Next, "Lacy" brings that delicate guitar back and really harps on the idea of innocence and jealousy that most if not all teenage girls experience. It feels as though the song lifts up at the bridge with serene harmonies and glossy voice effects. Track five, "Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl" brings that grungy, angsty tone back with the blustering guitar and bittersweet chords. The nonsense outro makes the song sound more playful than hateful. "Making the Bed" is another melancholy, heartbroken ballad, this time the message seems to be about herself and her own issues, rather than the pain caused by someone else. The light and graceful piano brings the song back down in the outro after a bombastic build-up, showing its true roots of being a ballad. Track seven, "Logical" keeps this heartbreak up, with its undertones of confusion perfectly mixing with the graceful piano and soft guitar picking. Next, "Get Him Back!" is a spiteful grunge song driven by a powerful drum beat and pulsing song. Her talk-singing makes the song again seem less serious even with its semi-crazy sounding lyrics. Track nine, "Love is Embarrassing" keeps the pulsing bass and driving drum beat up but is more regretful than spiteful with its lyrics speaking about her regrets in a relationship. "The Grudge" is another soft ballad that emulates Rodrigo's "Deja Vu." Her heartbreak rises to the surface alongside the pulsing piano and surging synth. Track eleven "Pretty isn't Pretty" is a dreamy-sounding soft-pop song that contradicts its sad lyrics about how insecurities often get the best of us. The final song, "Teenage Dream," beautifully ties the album together with its poignantly asked questions that are often made by young adults going into the world. Coming in at a short 12 tracks and 39 minutes, this album is definitely defying the "sophomore slump" stereotype. 

Though Mr. Patrick Taylor said his tearful goodbyes to the GHS Music Department in June 2023, his legacy still lives on. He served as the Director of Choirs and Program Associate of the Music Apartment for 24 years. His commitment and dedication are unmatched, and many of his former and current students say he has deepened their joy in music. 

During his last concert, the annual spring Choral Pops Concert on Wednesday, May 24, he received a roaring ovation for his extraordinary work for the past two decades. The theater was packed with former students, parents, and families of the singers. The concert went as usual, with the four choirs—Concert Choir, Witchmen, Madrigals, and Chamber Singers—each performing their pieces. The Class of 2023 later sang a song composed by Mr. Taylor himself, along with lyricist Kate Quarfordt, “Something Is Holding Me Here.” The performance of this song has been a tradition since 2010. Though Mr. Taylor didn’t anticipate that it would become a tradition, every class he has asked to sing it has willingly done so. 

Speeches were then given by Orchestra Director Bethany Fuscaldo, Electronic Music Teacher Barbara Freedman, Band Director Michael Breaux, several choir students, GHS Principal Ralph Mayo, Ms. Laura Newell, First Selectman Fred Camilo, Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, and Connecticut State Senator Ryan Fazio to thank Mr. Taylor for his dedication. As a finale, a photo slideshow of Mr. Taylor through the years was presented. 

As his replacement, Mr. Luke Rosenberg has been hired. Mr. Rosenberg started his tenure in September 2023, having previously taught at Staples High School in Westport beginning in 2012. He received a Bachelor’s in Music from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music Education from Boston University. His talent is seen through many choirs under his receiving invitations to sing in other countries at selective programs. An a cappella group he previously directed, the Orphenians, received an invitation to sing in Australia at the Sydney Opera House. Clearly, like Mr. Taylor, he had a profound impact on his students and will be missed at Staples.

“My favorite thing about teaching at GHS so far has been the students! They have been amazing in the classroom and I'm really looking forward to seeing where they will be musically at the end of the school year,” says Mr. Rosenberg. 

Choir students are still adjusting to Mr. Rosenberg’s instruction, but they have many positive comments about his work in the beginning months of school. 

“Mr. Rosenberg is different from Mr. Taylor, but his classes have been fun and interesting! I’m excited to see where the year takes us with choir, and to see his progression as a teacher at GHS,” says junior Charlotte Marcussen. 

Senior Ziyi Yan echoes similar sentiments. “While I miss Mr. Taylor, I am always super excited to work with Mr. Rosenberg and to discover the new exercises and techniques that he has to offer. His expertise and enthusiasm leave no doubt that our choirs are in good hands.” 

Overall, GHS students are happy to be working with Mr. Rosenberg, and while it has “definitely been a transition,” as Senior Cindy Li says, everyone is excited to work on new music for the fall concert. 

It is exciting to have a new choir director at GHS, and I cannot wait to go listen to the choir’s first concert in October.   

Taylor Swift continues her reign as a queen of the music industry, winning a Grammy for her 2020 album, "Folklore". Swift's 2019 announcement of re-recording her early albums, which were owned and sold by record executive Scooter Braun, caused a frenzy in her fanbase. "Fearless", the first album she re-recorded, was released in April 2021, while "Red" was not announced until June 2021 and then released in November. On their initial release, both "Red" and "Taylor's Version" charted at number one.

"State of Grace" kicks off the album with bassy rock drums and an echoing guitar, emulating the sound of live music. The next track and namesake of the album, "Red", brings the country aspect of the album to life with a melodic banjo. "Treacherous" slows the album down with a soft guitar along with Swift's voice, enhanced with a reverb or echo effect. The next track "22" brings the energy back by morphing its initial country, twangy acoustic guitar sound into a pop song with synths featured in the background.

"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" is overall a fun pop song with an acoustic guitar that creates a reverse-sounding effect. "Stay Stay Stay" has a whimsical electric guitar, strong drum beat and a ukulele that makes it sound a bit more cutesy. "The Last Time" features Gary Lightbody from the band Snow Patrol. It has a dramatic piano that fits the tone of a Snow Patrol song but the emotional lyrics of a Taylor Swift song. The harmonies between Lightbody and Swift really emphasize the heartbreaking message of the song.

"Holy Ground" has a very similar tone to the first track "State of Grace" with a bassy rock drum beat. "Sad Beautiful Tragic" again brings up that heartbreak tone with its soft acoustic guitar and melodic ukulele. The re-recorded version of "Everything Has Changed," featuring Ed Sheeran, makes the song sound a bit less produced and more personal. "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)" differs in tone from the short version with a reverberated guitar. It does, however, have the classic-sounding heavy kick and snare drum.

This album as a whole elaborates on the original, making it sound more mature and heartfelt. Taylor Swift fans and non-fans alike would agree that "Red" is not just a re-recording but a reimagining of an amazing collection of songs that sound and feel like the music has grown with us.

This past Saturday evening, on May 28th, nine-time Grammy winner Billy Joel took the Greenwich Town Party by storm. Both GHS students and their parents alike have been raving non-stop regarding his charismatic performance. Laura Kostin, a GHS parent noted that, "It [the Greenwich Town Party] is a wonderful event that always brings the community together. Billy Joel was outstanding."

Joel performed hits from many of his albums, including the 1977 album entitled The Stranger. During Saturday night's performance, he performed songs such as "Vienna", "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)". Attendees from all ages sang along word for word. Towards the end of the performance, Joel and his background musicians stopped playing to hear the audience sing their somewhat off-key, yet incredibly enthusiastic rendition of "Piano Man". During Joel's performance, it became clear that Billy Joel would not only remain a star of the seventies and eighties, but to current GHS students as well.

Sophomore Skylar Seides raved, "I was jamming my heart out. The performance was absolutely amazing." Over the past few months, the student body participated in Tik Tok trends involving Billy Joel songs. Posts increased with viral videos using songs such as "Vienna" and "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", which ultimately led to students adding these songs to their playlists.

When asked about her opinion regarding Joel's newfound popularity for GHS students, Kostin noted that, "Billy Joel's appeal spans decades across all age groups, and I think the enthusiasm for this year's performance is evidence of that." It can undoubtedly be deduced that Billy Joel is a classic for students, teachers, and parents alike in the Greenwich High School community, as his music continues to impact the masses.