Our rink isn't dead silent, but people are respectful and try not to distract the skater during their Moves tests.
A cocktail party soundtrack would be a good idea - murmuring voices, tinkling glasses, a string quartet playing quietly. A little mood music, so to speak, as opposed to door slams and people yelling.
(Then again, I'm from NY - loud bangs like that could be something more serious than a door.)