Based in the historic and beautiful medieval city of Canterbury, Sounds New Contemporary Music Festival occupied a unique place in the promotion of classical contemporary music in the South East of England, becoming evermore cross-, multi-, and even inter-disciplinary. Sounds New was about excitement, beauty, and freedom of artistic expression, and about creating dynamic and challenging programmes, taking risks, and creating magic. It was run by a very small team. I was festival manager, and a member of the artistic team, and worked very closely with Paul Max Edlin, who was then director.