Penny, I think that you've got a point about harmony assisting in that sixth sense (I'm not at all surprised that you got it in "Pirates"!); I also agree that there are words which add to the tonal blend (such as "Alleluia") that increase the "out of body " type of experience we're discussing here. Great acoustics, such as big churches and cathedrals have, wonderful singers, that Pythagorean something that is the music of the spheres, all add to it. But there's something else that can happen when the singers aren't trained, the harmonies are minimal, and the feeling in the room is connected, dazzlingly so, and it's really quited different. So I guess there are really many ways to get that magical moment, and they really can't be planned!
Allison