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Cello Repertoire Initiative

The Jolly Trolley-Riders (from Happy Half-Hours in Melody Land)

by Mathilde Bilbro · arranged by Samuel Araya

Instrumentation
Cello, Piano
Publisher
Samuel Araya (self-published on IMSLP, 2022)
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About this piece

Samuel Araya's cello-and-piano arrangement of a piece from Mathilde Bilbro's elementary piano book Happy Half-Hours in Melody Land (Cincinnati: Willis, 1921). The bouncy staccato tune suggests a tram ride and pairs well with Bilbro's Rosebud Waltz as a first contrasting piece for young cellists.

Technical overview

A brisk 2/4 piece in C major built on short staccato eighth notes separated by rests, alternating with plain eighth-note pairs. Everything sits in first position on the D and A strings, so the work is clean short strokes and simple crossings between the two strings.

Technical focus

  • A String Notes
  • D String Notes
  • String Crossings
  • Dynamics

Level rubric

Beginner

Left Hand

  • 1st position on all strings with fingers 1–4.
  • Understand whole/half steps
  • No shifting; notes stay in 1st position.
  • Focus on accurate finger placement.

Right Hand

  • Consistent détaché for simple melodies.
  • Extend bow (mid‑bow) on a straight path.
  • Introduce short (2–3 note) slurs.
  • Begin basic string crossings; occasional open‑string double stops.

Bow Strokes

  • Détaché and on‑string staccato.
  • Introduce simple legato (short slurs) and bow retakes.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Simple rhythms with basic subdivisions.
  • Short phrases; limited dynamic contrasts; echo dynamics.
  • Develop a singing, accurate tone.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.

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