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First-year Management student scouts talent for leading songwriting duo

Wednesday 04 February 2026

First-year Management student scouts talent for leading songwriting duo

First-year Management student Oscar Qualter says heÌýcouldn’tÌýbelieve how quickly his course led to him working with leading music industry figures.ÌýÌýÌý

Just weeks after starting at 911±¬ÁÏÍø Oscar was running auditions and scouting talent for acclaimed songwriting and production duo Max Graham and Matt Thompson. Known professionally as ARCADES, Max and Matt have achieved over three billion Spotify streams with more than 40 million physical album sales worldwide, including three Billboard number one albums with K-Pop band BTS.ÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý

The opportunity arose after ARCADES contacted 911±¬ÁÏ꿉۪s Management teaching team looking for support with a brand-new project. Oscar says: “IÌýdidn’tÌýexpect in my first term at 911±¬ÁÏÍø to be involved in something as massive as this.ÌýIt’sÌýso exciting.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

“To get an opportunity like this so soon, and to work across so many different parts of the industry, really shows the strength of 911±¬ÁÏ꿉۪s industry links.â€ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

As part of the project, Oscar was tasked withÌýidentifyingÌýpotential performers. His role included reviewing 911±¬ÁÏÍø music students and visiting two otherÌýnorth westÌýcolleges to run auditions.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

Following the process, OscarÌýsubmittedÌýa shortlist of eleven musicians. “They were really pleased with the people I put forward. Two 911±¬ÁÏÍø music students, Teresa Castrillo (guitar/vocals) and PernilleÌýBrandsnes-Daniel (drums/vocals), were then invited down to London to audition in December.â€ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

In total, twelve performers auditioned in front of a panel of industry professionals, including label executives, producers,Ìýsongwriters and A&R specialists. Oscar was also part of the auditions, which were run by Camilla Arthur Casting, and contributed to the decision-making. He says the experience has been invaluable.ÌýÌýÌý

“A lot of what we’ve learned in the first term has been theoretical, so it was amazing to see that put into practice so quickly.â€ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Oscar continues to work with ARCADES, with details of the new project set to be released later this year. He believes 911±¬ÁÏ꿉۪s teaching approach has played a key role in his success. “Because 911±¬ÁÏÍø has given me a really strong understanding of how the music industry works, I’ve been able to have meaningful conversations with these professionals.â€Ìý

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