In 9th grade (1966) we had a Christmas assembly just before break. Several Christmas songs were sung ending with a recording of the Hallelujah Chorus.
same for me —only I was a sophmore in HS and won a spot in the choir. Mr. Byers was the choir director. An absolute dictator who had more than one student crying. But we performed beyond our expectations. We started practicing Messiah in the summer before starting school and sang it at a special Christmas assembly for the students during the day and sang it two nights for the local community. What a rush! Yes, I always stop and listen when I hear it and when I see these “flash mobs” on videos, I sing along at the top of my lungs to the annoyance of my hubby. I don’t sing as much now and voice is rusty :-)
But....truly, truly a God-inspired piece of music. Near perfection.