Eastern New Mexico University junior Landon Jordan's path to the Roswell Symphony Orchestra wasn't always a straightforward one but rather a journey marked by self-discovery, resilience, and the unwavering support of his mentors at ENMU. Now, as a substitute member of one of the most prestigious orchestras in New Mexico, Jordan's story is a testament to the transformative power of education, mentorship, and the pursuit of one's passion.
Coming from Clovis, New Mexico, Jordan first joined band in middle school. While he originally wanted to play trombone, Jordan said it was his sixth-grade band director, ENMU alum Norvil Howell, who started him on the trumpet because Howell believed he was, at the time, too small to hold the trombone. Jordan continued with the trumpet for the remainder of his primary schooling.
During his senior year of high school, Jordan attended the annual New Mexico Music Educators Association's (NMMEA) All-State conference, where he played first trumpet in their top wind ensemble. Here, Jordan formally met Associate Professor of Music Sidney Shuler.
"Dr. Shuler came up to me and just believed in me, and I've never had someone random do that," Jordan said when talking about his first impression of Shuler. Shuler's unexpected encouragement left a lasting impression and significantly influenced Jordan's decision to attend Eastern. Jordan said that Shuler's approach to teaching combined high expectations with genuine care, creating a learning environment that is both challenging and nurturing. "I feel like for Dr.Shuler, it's more like a family. He treats you like you're his own kid, and you really don't get that at a lot of other universities."
Jordan spoke about how Shuler mentors his students, providing support and guidance that extends far beyond the academic curriculum, offering students advice on navigating their academic and personal journeys. "I've had multiple times where I've been going through something difficult, and he's always been there; one thing he's stressed to me was that it's okay not to be okay," a phrase that Jordan believes will stick with him for the rest of his life.
Despite his passion for music, Jordan decided to take a two-year break to focus on his mental health. Shuler kept in touch with him during the hiatus, and when Jordan expressed interest in returning, Shuler readily welcomed him back, even aiding him with his re-enrollment process.
Jordan spoke about the importance of one's health above all else, challenging the notion of relentlessly pushing forward, instead advocating for self-care. He asserted that compromising one's mental, physical, or familial health for the sake of perseverance could be detrimental, maintaining that overall health should always remain a focus. "I think if I were to have just kept going, I would have eventually burned out like I did, but probably would not have ended up coming back," he said.
Since returning to ENMU, Jordan has made significant strides in his academic and musical pursuits. Over several semesters of hard work, he earned a recommendation to be a substitute member for the Roswell Symphony Orchestra, showcasing an overall rededication to his craft. "He's got a lot of natural ability on the horn, good instincts, and really a joy for making music," Shuler said. In addition to excelling musically, Jordan has consistently made the Dean's List and is currently preparing for his junior recital, where he will perform a repertoire for Eastern's instrumental music faculty.
Jordan received the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, which he says enabled him to plan for his life moving forward. "It's been great because I don't have to pay anything to go to school at Eastern, and I'm really fortunate to have that, especially when I'm going to be applying for grad schools where I won't be getting a full ride. It helps me save up money and prepare for my next steps."
Jordan values the sense of community fostered by the University's smaller size and recognizes the unique opportunities it has afforded him. "The school is smaller, which makes it easier to make friends and find people with whom you have similar goals," he said. "It's pretty nice to be able to go to school and feel like you're at home."
Jordan is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha (PMA), a fraternity whose primary purpose is to advance musical students' mutual welfare and brotherhood. "It's just cool to have like-minded individuals as friends and people with the same goals and ambitions, just to have people you relate to," he said.
Jordan described PMA as an academic motivation when he lacked the drive to attend events and classes. "I think, academically, [PMA] has acted as a motivator for me to do better. Whenever I don't wanna do better or don't wanna go to class, I still show up."
After graduating with a Bachelor of Music Performance in December of 2025, Jordan plans to apply to graduate school or enlist in the military but says only time will tell. "No matter what I do, I think I'll always still play my trumpet, whether it's in an ensemble or just messing around at home," Jordan added.
After his time with the Roswell Symphony Orchestra, he dreams of eventually playing in an orchestra as a principal trumpet player, one of the primary lead roles within an orchestra. "I want to play for one of the big ones like the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, or even the Los Angeles Philharmonic."
