On the first day of classes at Mannes, the music conservatory of the New School, incoming freshmen milled around the lobby. Granted, it was only the first day, but what would they do after graduation?

"Be the principal trombone in the New York Philharmonic," said Di Wang, a 20-year-old Mahler fan (the third and fifth symphonies, to be exact) wearing a Nike "Linsanity" T-shirt.

"Play...