2010-01-30T12:42:00.003-08:00

The Forrás Hungarian Folk Band was formed in 1997. Since then it has grown to become a driving force in the Hungarian folk scene in North America. The ensemble plays traditional village music from Central Europe and its members have regularly studied with master musicians in Hungary and Transylvania. Forrás' performances are both entertaining and educational as the players present the traditional lifestyle and work of the peasant musician. They have a broad repertoire accompanying dance troops, presenting musical concerts and the customary táncház (Hungarian folk dance parties).

Forrás prides itself in the authenticity of its music. Their work focuses on the acquisition, preservation and presentation of their Hungarian music heritage; their repertoire also includes music of Romanian and Romani (Gypsy) origin. They play stringed instruments such as violin, a Transylvanian chord viola called the kontra and double bass. Forrás also plays more unique instruments such as the furulya (shepherd's flutes), duda (bagpipes) and ütőgardon (percussive cello).

Residing in Vancouver and Seattle the band performs regularly entertaining audiences across Canada and the US sharing stages with world acclaimed artists such as Téka, Márta Sebestyén, Muzsikás, and Dűvő. The ensemble has performed at prestigious festivals such as the Northwest Folklife Festival and the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival along with the North American Hungarian Festival, Western Canadian Hungarian Folk Festival and performed as special guests of the Hungarian Studies Program at Indiana University. Forrás has also been broadcast across Canada on radio and television.

Forrás Banda ♫ Folk Music from the Villages of Hungary & Transylvania