How’s your jerk this year?
Jerk, scientifically speaking, is the second derivative of velocity. (The first derivative of velocity is acceleration.)
Are you accelerating? At this point in the year, I expect my students to be able to master the notes and rhythms of a new piece far faster than they could in August. They know more, they know how the ensemble feels, and they have a feeling for the rehearsal pace.
Jerk is the changing rate of acceleration. If you have a positive jerk, your acceleration is increasing over time. In other words, we accelerate more in January than we do in December.
In a stellar year, we accelerate more and more as the year goes by, crescendoing to our final concert. In an average year, our jerk is zero – we are accelerating, but at a constant rate. In a struggling year, our jerk is negative – the acceleration is slowing down as the year goes on, leading to stagnation.
I think a positive jerk comes from the confluence of three things: positive leadership, confident ensemble members, and a sense of urgency. Combine those three and you’ll grow faster and faster.