Performing such a sizable masterwork is a formidable project, even for a professional organization. But the dedicated amateur musicians of the Orchestra and Chorus of Sandy City have picked up the Verdi gauntlet, giving three performances this week under the baton of their professional conductor Joel Rosenberg, a graduate of Juilliard School of Music.

Rosenberg said the choice fits the core mission of his group: to present music their audience might not otherwise hear.

"As well, our performers have a chance to play something I think they'll treasure," he said.

The theatricality of the Verdi Requiem makes for an exciting experience. Much of the drama is found in the work's "Dies Irae" section, a frightening vision of God's wrath on judgment day.

"It starts with four big cracks - big G minor chords," Rosenberg said. To hammer home the terror of the moment, Verdi specified that a huge bass drum be laid on its side and smacked with a pair of mallets. "It should be a frightening sound. It's intended to terrify the listener into virtue," he said.

Another showpiece for the orchestra is the "Tuba Mirum" movement, which speaks of "the trumpeter scattering his wondrous sound."

Verdi specifies a full brass section with eight trumpeters - four in the orchestra and the others stationed at a distance. "It's a radiant, moving, startling effect," Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg attributes his ability to field a group capable of taking on the Requiem's large, difficult orchestration to Utah's strong musical tradition. Fielding a choir with the vocal power to balance the heavy orchestration is another challenge, which choirmaster Pamela Dale is solving in an unusual way.

Dale, who performed with the San Francisco Opera Chorus for 20 years before settling in Tooele, is combining two community choirs: the Sandy City Chorus and Tooele's Pioneer Valley Chorale, of which she is conductor and co-founder.

The singers have been working since January to conquer the complex vocal parts and Latin text.

"The music is difficult, but I think it is a stretch that improves everyone's musicianship and adds refinement to everyone's lives," Dale said.

The members of the Orchestra and Chorus of Sandy City donate their rehearsal and performance time, carve out practice time at home and volunteer time to keep their organization running - as do members of community music groups all over the state.

Being asked to work hard is part of the draw, said Pamela Dropek, who sings in the Sandy chorus with her husband, Rich Dropek. The two joined the choir after hearing a performance of the orchestra.

"They have an excellent director who works the musicians to get the very most he can from people who are amateurs doing this as an avocation, or for the love of music," Dropek said. "It's a way for us to sing some challenging music, work with good amateur musicians who are really trying to do well in performance, and be together as a couple."

Virtuous undertaking

* THE ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS OF SANDY CITY perform the Verdi Requiem on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 8600 S. 700 East, Sandy, and May 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Libby Gardner Hall on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City. Joel Rosenberg conducts. Soloists are soprano Jill Dewsnup, mezzo Doris Brunatti, tenors James Miller and Todd Miller (alternating) and bass Christopher Holmes.

* TICKETS ARE $10; $8 for seniors and students, at the door.

Singers interested in joining the choir may call 801-250-6602.