For more than 75 years the voices of the Conewango Clippers came together to make beautiful music.

In recent years the music was still beautiful – though the number of voices blending together in the barbershop style was decreasing. The group’s collective voice has gone silent with the recent decision to disband after years of unsuccessfully trying to attract new members. Over the years membership in barbershop groups has dwindled, with Warren’s unfortunately no exception. Musical tastes have changed and, for many, free time isn’t as ample as it used to be. Technology has made what was once a social exercise that shared members’ love of music possible with a phone and an app.

It’s only fitting, though, that the group’s members decided to pass the Conewango Clippers’ musical tradition on for one more generation by creating a music scholarship to a deserving Warren Area High School student entering college as a musical/musical educator major. Jadeene Fofana, a 2025 WAHS graduate, is majoring in vocal performance at Houghton College in New York state who is also a singer/songwriter who plays guitar, takes part in solo and theatrical performances and participated in chorus at district and state levels. Fofana seems to be a fitting recipient of the scholarship from the Clippers’ members.

It’s sad to think that a part of our shared history here in Warren County has come to an end. But it should put a collective smile on our face that the Conewango Clippers found a way to go out on a high note.