Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/410

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THE AFRO-AMERICAN PRESS.

teacher in the Washington public schools, she was highly complimented by both trustees and superintendent.

As a musician, she is of the highest order. Her training was received at the famous Boston Conservatory of music, with private instruction under Prof. Jameson of Boston. Upon leaving that city she was engaged to teach a large class of pupils in Montgomery, Ala., which she did with remarkable credit to herself and class. While in Montgomery she was constantly engaged in devising some new step for the further development of her race. The greatest musical entertainment ever known in Montgomery, namely, the cantata of Queen Esther, was presented by Miss Tilghman, with a chorus of sixty singers, all in full stage costume. The following is the press comment upon Miss Tilghman as "Queen" and as manager: "Miss Tilghman represented the beautiful queen, and she manifested that solemn, pathetic, and dramatic force throughout the play, which gave it life-like appearance, as one would picture it as he reads it in the Bible. The highest praise is due her for the presentation of this cantata. She was the sole organizer, and deserves the thanks of the citizens generally for her interest in everything which tends to the improvement and elevation of our race."

It was while in Montgomery that Miss Tilghman first published The Musical Messenger. In December, 1887, she was invited by the faculty of Howe Institute, New Iberia, La., to take charge of the musical department of said school. After receiving many urgent letters, she concluded to accept the position, and amid the regret of the entire community, she left Montgomery and went to New Iberia, where she was much needed. After remaining there one school year, she was induced to return home on account of the continued illness of her mother, and now resides there, teaching music and publishing The Musical Messenger.