Matilee Loeb Evans

Matilee Loeb Evans Preston (April 28, 1879 – February 21, 1963) was an American composer and cornetist. She wrote music for piano and was a charter member of the Los Angeles Woman’s Orchestra. She published under the names Matilee Loeb Evans, Matilee Loeb-Evans Preston, and M. L. Preston.

Preston was born in Toledo, Ohio, but grew up in Los Angeles, California. Her earliest music teacher was her father, Leopold Loeb, who had studied at the Leipzig Conservatory. Her first solo performance on cornet was in 1891. She later played cornet with the Los Angeles Women’s Orchestra and studied organ with Frank Harvey Colby.

In 1919, Preston’s letter to Pacific Coast Musician was published: “To my mind it is certainly a great mistake for a girl to discontinue her musical studies after marriage. Home duties, of course, are many and various, especially where there are children in the family, but, by careful planning and conserving of time, a woman can devote some part of each day to the study of music.”

Preston’s compositions were published by Brehm Brothers, Koninsky Music Co., and Theodore Presser Company.

Piano

A Breath of Lavender: Romance

Dance of the Bubbles (four hands)

Dance of the Goblins

Fairy Prince

Forget Me Not

Fragrant Violets Waltz

Gay Johnny Jump-Up

Gnomes’ Dress Parade

In Sweet Accord

Longing

Queen of the Elves

On the Terrace

Thistledown