Strater was born in Krefeld, Germany, and became a violinist, conductor, composer, and director of a male voice choir there [Krefelder Männergesangverein] (source: 'Musikleben und Komponisten in Krefeld: das 20. Jahrhundert', Christoph Dohr, 1992) Note that this book gives his birth year as 1880 (same day), but there is a record here on FamilySearch that ties the birth date with a christening date and is presumed to be more likely correct.