This is from an e-mail I sent out immediately after performing the
Messiah on December 23, 2000.
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It's the little things that matter.

This evening I sang in the Messiah with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. 
I have never performed the Messiah in concert before, despite doing
numerous sing-alongs, so it has been quite a thrill getting the chance to
do it, especially with a chorus like this one.  Tonight was our second, and
last, performance for the year.  Packed house.  Wonderful soloists.  Fun
experience.

Last night, I was in the back row, as I always am at our concerts, being
6'3" and all.  For the past few weeks, I have been complaining about this
state of affairs to Henry, the bass section leader, saying that it's unfair
to discriminate based on height.  I prefer sitting in the front row, where
it is easier to hear the rest of the chorus, and to blend with the
section.  Plus, there's always the glory of being easy to see and pick
out.  Henry's response is that we could always chop my legs off to get me
down to the height necessary to be in the front row.

This evening, we performed the first half as usual.  During intermission,
Henry asked David, the bass that sings next to me, to chat with him.  Since
David and Henry are long-time members of the Chorus, I thought nothing of
this.

As we were filing on stage for the second half, I saw Micah, the bass
who stands next to Henry, standing by the stage door.  Since the first
row was already supposed to be on, we started teasing him for having
missed his spot.  Except that he hadn't.  David and Micah grabbed me,
shoved me on stage, and told me to go stand at the end of the first
row.  I thought they were kidding, and started up the stairs to the
back row.  Then Henry repeated the command to go sit in the front row.
And I realized he was serious.

I was so surprised that I tripped on the steps and almost fell as I lurched
into the front row.  David and Micah filed into the back row, with Micah
taking my former spot.  Henry smiled at me, and said "Merry Christmas!"

I'm still grinning now, two and a half hours later.  I got to stand in the
front row, while singing the great music of the Messiah, and it was a jolly
old time.  I was right - you _can_ hear better from the front row.  Of
course, you're also _far_ more exposed to the audience, but hey, more
chance for me to ham it up.

It was a little thing, but it really made my day.  It was a nice reminder
that you don't have to make some grand gesture to make a difference - just
a simple act, and a smile.

Happy Holidays!
Eric