Robert, thanks for naming the “praise team” for me. We have been to a local church around here a few times and I never knew what was up with that group up there. They do smile an awful lot. It’s a little unnerving. I always end up feeling like I’m not good enough to be in the crowd because I don’t have such a big smile, or I don’t sway so well with outstretched arms.

I’m one of those people who does better with religion in my own home or in my own way, I guess.

Trumpet is good. Be advised that (used to be) nice girls don’t play trombone, though the times are changing. Sigh. I played trombone when it was all about testosterone. Percussion is fine but no drums. Drummers are even wilder than low brass players.
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Ryan took piano lessons, what with music being mandatory for my resident sons. All dropped piano for band eventually.

Ryan played piano recitals, all that. He still sings in the church choir where he attends with his mother. He as been the tenor section leader, but, alas, never selected for the praise team.

Evangelicals (your Phoenix has a few of these megachurches) these days often have something called a “praise team” on the platform during their music worship. This team is typically a half-dozen men & women who stand in front of the rest of the choir with microphones, then sing along with the choir, smiling a heavenly smile as they sing. I guess they’re kind of like high school cheerleaders: enough ability, reasonably popular, and, by all means, the right hairspray. Ryan is chronically vexed that he never gets selected for the praise team. Must be his spiked hair-do.