Will Stroet

Artist Information

Biography

Will Stroet, an award-winning bilingual children's musician, connects with kids through high-energy, interactive and educational music in English and French. From folk to rock to pop inspired tunes about active living, sports, animals and the environment, Will’s guitar-driven music appeals to kids of all ages.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Will has performed his highly entertaining show to enthusiastic young audiences at hundreds of major festivals, schools and libraries across Canada. Notable performances include the Vancouver, Surrey, Canmore, Whistler and Okanagan Children’s Festivals; the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics; The Pacific National Exhibition; MusicFest Vancouver and Folk on the Rocks in Yellowknife.

Will first discovered his talent for writing kids’ songs while completing his bachelor of education at the University of British Columbia in 2004. He recorded his first CD, “Let’s All Dance,” in the fall of 2005. What began as an experiment quickly turned into a success. After selling his first 1,000 copies, receiving great reviews, and performing to enthusiastic audiences, Will knew he had found his calling.

In 2007, Will recorded “Will et sa maman: Chantons et dansons” with his mother, a highly-regarded kindergarten teacher. A popular teaching aid, this CD is widely used by French immersion and core French teachers . In 2009, Will took a leave from teaching French immersion music in Vancouver to pursue his music full time.

The Western Canadian Music Awards nominated Will’s latest French CD, “Dans mon jardin,” for “Best Francophone Recording of 2010,” following a 2009 nomination for “Best Children’s Recording” for the English version, “My Backyard.”

In November 2010, Will released his fifth CD, "Walk 'n' Roll," which won a 2011 Kids Music Award and a Westcoast Songwriting Award. It has also been nominated for a 2011 Western Canadian Music Award and and a 2011 Canadian Folk Music Award It also included a song that was a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. The album includes includes road safety songs that the Insurance Corporation of B.C. commissioned for their school curriculum available for teachers.

Will's song, "Le boogie à vélo" is also featured on Putumayo’s new compilation, “Kids World Party,” which was released last June.

Will also regularly leads music workshops for teachers on how to use music as an effective language-learning tool. He is part of BC’s ArtStarts in Schools roster.

Awards & Recognition:
2011 Canadian Folk MUsic Award nominee - "Walk 'n' Roll"
2011 Western Canadian Music Award nominee - "Walk 'n' Roll"
2011 Westcoast Songwriting Award winner - "Oh my, my, Hippopotami
2011 International Songwriting Competition Semi-Finalist for "Don't Judge a Book by its Cover"
2011 Creative Child Magazine - Preferred Choice winner - "Walk 'n' Roll"
2011 Kids Music Award - "Walk 'n' Roll"
2010 Western Canadian Music Award nominee - "Dans mon jardin"
2009 Western Canadian Music Award nominee- "My Backyard"

Instrumentation

Will Stroet - vocals and guitar
Andrew Jenkins - accordion, Harmonica
Elliot Langford - bass guitar

Discography

Albums:
"Let's All Dance" (2005)
"Will et sa maman - Chantons et dansons" (2007)
"My Backyard" (2008)
"Dans mon jardin" (2009)
"Kids World Party" - Putumayo Music Release (June 2011)
"Walk 'n' Roll" (2010)

Official Website

http://www.willmusic.ca

Links

• Twitter
• Last.fm
• Will's Videos
• Facebook
• Shaw TV Feature
• Will Stroet's Promotional Video
• Will's Shows
• Will Stroet's Website

Audio

• Hockey's Just Really Cool
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• Le boogie a velo
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• Don't Judge a Book by its Cover
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• Walk 'n' Roll
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• Hygiene and Eugene
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• Reading Revival
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• Full of Beans
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• Rockin' in the Rockies
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• Oh my my, Hippopotami
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• Speed Skater Tater Tot
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Lyrics

• Hockey's Just Really Cool
• Full of Beans
• Oh my my, Hippopotami
• Hygiene and Eugene
• Make Friends with an Earthworm
• Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

Video

Will Stroet's Promotional Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Westcoast Families Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  As the managing editor for WestCoast Families Magazine, I routinely receive music samples from local...As the managing editor for WestCoast Families Magazine, I routinely receive music samples from local and international children’s performers. I have found Will Stroet’s music and lyrics to be engaging, fun, educational and a constant favourite with my own four-year-old daughter. I would happily recommend Will’s music to any parent looking for quality music from a local, Canadian performer, for their children.

• Testimonial from vice principal of West Vancouver School [+ Show ]
  

  “Will Stroet has great energy – you can tell he loves what he is doing. The kids pick up on that and...“Will Stroet has great energy – you can tell he loves what he is doing. The kids pick up on that and are very keen to join in singing and doing actions. I’ve recommended Will to our Assistant Superintendent. He is the best performer I have ever seen in an elementary school because the kids were so engaged.”
  - Meredith Fenton, Vice-Principal, Cypress Park Elementary, West Vancouver, BC

• Edmonton's Child Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  Will’s music is fun, light and engaging, capturing the attention and interest of kids and adults ali...Will’s music is fun, light and engaging, capturing the attention and interest of kids and adults alike with tunes such as “Henry the Meowing Dog” and “Bike Safety Boogie.” His catchy melodies and fun lyrics had our whole family grooving along

• Testimonial from Bowen Island, BC [+ Show ]
  

  "I have booked Will Stroet for a number of events on Bowen Island during the last few years and woul..."I have booked Will Stroet for a number of events on Bowen Island during the last few years and would recommend him for any event. He has a great talent for writing songs that speak to young kids and they always respond enthusiastically to his music and his fun, friendly energy. We can't wait to have him back again this year."
  - Cam Hayduk, Bowen Island Kids Concert Series

• Okanagan Child Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  Watch out — your foot will start tapping and your child's hands will be clapping. Will Stroet makes ...Watch out — your foot will start tapping and your child's hands will be clapping. Will Stroet makes music that brings a smile to the faces of both parents and kids. With lyrics reflecting themes of imagination and the environment, children hear noteworthy messages while bopping along. Featuring recordings in both French and English, Will's music truly reaches all Canadian families.

• Testimonial from Surrey Children's Festival [+ Show ]
  

  “Will Stroet’s show is always a memorable experience. I love bringing him to the Surrey Internationa...“Will Stroet’s show is always a memorable experience. I love bringing him to the Surrey International Children’s Festival because he is a bilingual performer. On the Thursday he does all his songs in English and on Francophone Friday his French programming is excellent for the French Immersion Classes. The great thing about Will’s show is that he’s not just fun for the kids, he does a performance that is really engaging for the whole family.”
  - Marnie Perrin, Artistic Director, Surrey International Children’s Festival

• Yummy Mummy Blog [+ Show ]
  

  If you're looking for a CD to give as a gift this holiday season, to those who fall in the “Children...If you're looking for a CD to give as a gift this holiday season, to those who fall in the “Children's Album” category, then “My Backyard” by Will Stroet is a fantastic musical offering. My two little ones were laughing, dancing and singing around the kitchen as we listened to the CD. The album got two enthusiastic thumbs up from the almost four-year-old boy and almost two-year-old girl music critics in training.

• Testimonial from teacher in Vancouver, BC [+ Show ]
  

  "Will Stroet's songs are really fun and have huge appeal for both children and adults. He has an exc..."Will Stroet's songs are really fun and have huge appeal for both children and adults. He has an excellent presence in front of an audience; the children enjoy themselves greatly and behave very well. Our primaries knew a number of the songs before the concert and were thrilled to join in the singing or dancing for some of the numbers. What a positive experience for all! We had a wonderful time!"
  - Susan Mirhady, kindergarten teacher, Champlain Heights Elementary, Vancouver

• My Organized Chaos [+ Show ]
  

  My family was recently introduced to Will Stroet’s music, and I have to say that I’m very impressed!...My family was recently introduced to Will Stroet’s music, and I have to say that I’m very impressed! We got Will’s CD entitled “My Backyard,” and from the very first song, all three kids were bopping, jumping and all smiles. Each song on this album is full of energy, the vocals are ones that kids can relate to and makes them want to shake their sillies out. The songs range from mellow to energetic, stories about the environment, animals, sports, safety and just plain goofiness!

• Shaw TV's The Express [+ Show ]
  

  Shaw TV's The Express filmed Will Stroet's concert at Kerrisdale Elementary and interviewed Will, st...Shaw TV's The Express filmed Will Stroet's concert at Kerrisdale Elementary and interviewed Will, students and a teacher.

• Interview with Will Stroet on Global BC for Family Literacy Day [+ Show ]
  

  Global BC's Steve Darling interviews Vancouver children's musician Will Stroet to speak about Will's...Global BC's Steve Darling interviews Vancouver children's musician Will Stroet to speak about Will's music, specifically his song "Reading Revival," which he is offering as a free download at www.willmusic.ca (until Jan. 31, 2011) in celebration of Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27, 2011.

• Will Stroet performs "Reading Revival" on Global BC for Family Literacy Day [+ Show ]
  

  Will Stroet performs "Reading Revival," live on Global BC! Global BC's Steve Darling interviews Vanc...Will Stroet performs "Reading Revival," live on Global BC! Global BC's Steve Darling interviews Vancouver children's musician Will Stroet to speak about Will's music, specifically his song "Reading Revival," which he is offering as a free download at www.willmusic.ca (until Jan. 31, 2011) in celebration of Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27, 2011.

• Walk 'n' Roll Album Review - Yummy Mummy Blog
  

  "Walk 'n' Roll" album review by Yummy Mummy Club member, Consuelo Bernardi.

• 2011 Kids Music Award - Walk n' Roll CD Review
  

  "Walk 'n' Roll" received a 2011 Kids Music Award.

Setlist

All songs are original compositions by Will Stroet and are from all five albums. His performances are between 45 minutes to an hour.

Typical set list:

1. Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover
2. Let’s All Dance
3. Bike Safety Boogie
4. Walk ‘n’ Roll
5. Boost Me Up
6. Hygiene and Eugene
7. Reading Revival
8. En haut, en bas
9. Jam
10. Kick It!
11. Oh My, My, Hippopotami
12. Hockey's Just Really Cool
13. Hoppin’ Up and Down

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Tech Rider - Will Stroet and the Backyard Band

Calendar