That area with the Altar, the Tabernacle, the priest and altar boys' chairs, ambo/pulpit/lectern/whatever? That's called a "Sanctuary". Contra a certain Minister of Music of my acquaintance, it is not a stage. That raised platform on which the priest does the consecration? That's an Altar. He's offering a sacrifice. (Go 'way, protestant trolls!) That huge crowd of people watching (and responding to) the activity in the sanctuary is the Congregation. Contra a certain Minister of Music of my acquaintance, they are NOT the audience!!!! (Bloody Hell, that one really spiked my blood pressure when I heard it.) They sit in pews. The area in which their pews are is called the Nave. Not the House. (Bustard calms down a bit) Seriously, get thee to a library. Find a nice book on Church architecture (one with lots of pictures of the great Cathedrals of Europe might be a good start), and have a look. There are specific terms for all of the parts of a Church building. Learn them. Use them. It's a great way to subvert the dominant paradigm.1
Old churches were built with great acoustics, because microphones and electronic audio equipment didn't exist. Using a mic in an old cathedral is cheating; the place was designed so it wouldn't be necessary.
This time should be silent. I go back and forth on that one. Really. There was a time (at a different parish) I just wanted the blasted musicians just to STFU for one second. But they wouldn't. The wench even insisted on tinkling the piano during the consecration. It doesn't bother me so much, now. Different parish, better quality of music. And now that I think of it, there is some silent time.
AB
1) I just love turning the lefties pet phrases back on them.