Sona Haydon, senior lecturer in music, passes away

Nov. 1, 2005 -- Sona Haydon, a longtime lecturer in piano for the Department of Music in Arts & Sciences, died of complications stemming from leukemia at Barnes-Jewish Hospital on Saturday, October 29. She was 73.

Haydon is survived by three sons — Bryan Duckham and Todd and Noel Haydon — as well as by three stepchildren — Rob, David and Vicki Hermanson — and six grandchildren.

Haydon earned a bachelor's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1954, graduating with honors. She came to Washington University in 1974, earning a masters in piano performance in 1976. As a senior lecturer, she gave individual lessons and taught classes in keyboard harmony and piano pedagogy. In 2001, she inaugurated the Young Artist Piano Concerto Competition for pre-college musicians. Winners perform a concerto with the Washington University Symphony Orchestra.

A frequent clinician and jury member for area piano examinations, Haydon developed a special interest in teaching those with physical disabilities. As a result of a serious injury to her right hand, she conducted detailed research in therapeutic techniques to help regain strength and mobility — techniques later collected in her 1996 video "Piano Technique: Is There Only One Way?"(Alfred Music Video).

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Richmond Heights Presbyterian Church, 1430 Silverton Pl., 63117. Plans for an on-campus memorial service will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, 77 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146.