John Curwen Plaque 17

John Curwen Plaque 17

Without Spen Valley's John Curwen, there might never have been The Sound of Music! Born at Hurst House Oak St Heckmondwike in 1816, John Curwen's brilliant invention was the tonic sol-fah method of teaching vocal music, made famous in the film's iconic song "Doh Re Mi". John developed the system whilst a young Sunday school teacher, to help his pupils learn hymn tunes. In 1879 the Tonic Sol-Fah College was opened and was later run by John's son John Spencer Curwen.

You'll find the plaque on Heckmondwike Green, now the site of summer open-air music events.