John Saunders (1867 – 7 October 1919)[1][2] was a British musician,[3] who led the Royal Philharmonic Society's Orchestra, and performed in the South Place Sunday Concerts for 27 years.
[6] These included explanatory talks alongside performances by well-respected musicians, intended to cultivate an enthusiasm for classical music among a younger audience.
[1] In 1910, Saunders was appointed leader of the Royal Philharmonic Society orchestra, described as "the highest position in orchestral music which this country [England] affords".
[1] In 1916, a group of fellow musicians presented Saunders with a Stradivarius violin at a dinner held in his honour.
All connected with the South Place Concerts will ever remember that to him, more than anyone else, is due the artistic success which has been achieved, and which it is hoped will be continued.
[10][11][4] A series of five concerts in aid of the scholarship were held at South Place 1919–1920, with performers including Landon Ronald, Joseph Holbrooke, Jessie Grimson, and Richard Henry Walthew.