[Desdemona]

Part of the problem is carpets on the floors. It soaks up sound so, mics are just a part of life. And the fact that, unfortunately, musicianship levels and the finer details like intonation are not uniform. There are also still a good number of priests out there who are just as happy with volunteers of whatever sort as people who really know what they are doing.

[AnAmericanMother]

You put your finger on the problem right there. Too many priests are musically ignorant, and they let all sorts of nonsense go on that they would put a stop to if they knew how bad it was.

The analogy I used last week was with my former Episcopal rector, who of course knew good music (I think good musical taste is taught them in seminary) but knew absolutely nothing about dance.

He invited a "liturgical" "dancer" (she wasn't either) to perform (and that is the right word, it wasn't worship) one Sunday. She was AWFUL - could never have gotten a gig anywhere but in a church where the rector had two left feet.

I was pretty severe to the rector, in a humorous way. I don't usually get after the man in charge, but it was SO bad it demanded instant action, it bordered on scandalous. A bunch of other people got after him too (this was a fairly artistic parish, and many were instantly aware that Father had been conned). Thankfully he never invited her back.

But more musically inclined people need to gently inform the rector when the music gets over the edge. It can be done a lot more tactfully than I did it.

Fortunately our rector has good musical taste, and so does the deacon in charge of the music department (he was a music major at LSU).

As for carpet -- tear it out and put in stone or tile!