One of my very first dates was to see Messiah at Wolf Trap in Maryland. I will never, ever forget the awe of it, and I, too, had tears in my eyes when everyone stood up at the Hallelujah Chorus.
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. Mrs. Trebilcock, very proper in her own person, stood alone for the chorus. All the students caught on immediately and stood. Our choir performed it in our senior year with help of many college music majors. I can still sing my part.