Local church musicians, pastors and friends of organist Sean Baran are mourning his death after he was struck and killed by a car Friday afternoon on Market Street at Fairlawn Avenue in Boardman.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said a motorist, 39, struck Baran after he walked into the road. The crash remains under investigation.

Baran graduated summa cum laude from Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in music performance. In addition to being the organist at Boardman United Methodist Church, Baran was a resident artist at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland, Pa., where he ran the piano program for the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School.

Baran served as secretary of Youngstown Music Teachers Association, vice president of student activities of Ohio Music Teachers Association Middle East District and District 1 Junior Counselor for the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs. Baran also was a member of the American Guild of Organists and previously served on the executive committee of the Youngstown Chapter, according to a biography on the website of Boardman United Methodist Church.

He performed July 13 at the Youngstown Hymn Sing to benefit Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Youngstown. The event’s theme was “Let There Peace on Earth” and included music, worship and prayers. The church dedicated its Sunday morning service to Baran.

He also played June 28 at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown as part of an organ recital series organized by Ralph Holtzhauser, the music director for St. Columba and the Diocese of Youngstown.

Barbara Zorn, a cantor at Holy Family Parish in Poland and St. Columba, said Baran played organ with the St. Columba Cathedral choir on the feast of Pentecost May 19.

“We are all in shock over this terrible accident. He was a gifted organist. He had been the organist at Boardman United Methodist Church for many years,” Zorn said.

She said she worked with Baran to get the Youngstown Symphony to sponsor a piano / organ competition for high school and college music students. However, COVID-19 and the untimely death of Youngstown Symphony Director Randall Craig Fleischer in August of 2020 prevented it from happening.

“It would be wonderful if that could happen in Sean’s memory some day,” Zorn said.

Daniel Laginya, retired music director for the Youngstown Diocese, said Baran studied organ with him as a music graduate student at YSU.

“He quickly became as masterful at the organ as he was at the piano. He was the assistant music director at Youngstown’s Trinity United Methodist Church, organist at Boardman United Methodist Church, and most recently held the prestigious position of music director and organist at Pittsburgh Presbyterian Church,” Laginya said.

“Sean’s love of hymn playing and leading congregations in worship was off the charts. He was a devoted teacher in the areas of piano, organ and music theory, and was so proud of the musical talent and resources right here in the valley. His loss to our musical community is staggering. Our friendship often took us to the Royal Buffet in Boardman and to Mill Creek Park, the treasure of Youngstown that we both love and support.”

Bill Ambert, music director at Boardman United Methodist Church and also a cantor at St. Columba, called Baran his “dear friend and colleague” and said he will be missed by many people, including his friends, family, fellow musicians, church family and students.

“Sean was always the consummate professional, always bringing his best to his students and musical endeavors, whether it be a concert he organized, a recital, his church music leadership, his beautiful accompanying and knowledge of musical styles. He was dedicated to his craft and tried to pass that along,” Ambert said.

“He loved the piano and organ and invited people to take part in that love, sharing his talent with so many. He loved Youngstown and Mill Creek Park and always shared his many pictures of his walks in nature. Sean was extremely witty and humorous and could always make us laugh. Sean’s beautiful church playing moved us all deeply so often. He helped to mold and shape the music at BUMC on so many levels and to all ages.”

Funeral services for Baran have not yet been announced.

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