St. Joseph Basilica, Alameda

🡐 Go back to all listings

(Submitted August 20, 2026)

Job Title: Music Director I

Department: Music
Job Grade: M-3
Category: Non-exempt

Reports to: Pastor

Position Overview: The Music Director I, under the direction of the pastor, plans and coordinates one or more musical ensembles. The music program under a Music Director I will be less extensive than that described under Music Director II. The Music Director I will plan for the needs of the ensemble and cantors and provide them with necessary direction and training. The Music Director I will be the default accompanist for the liturgical services in the parish.

Parish Details:

St. Joseph Basilica in Alameda is a vibrant community that appreciates reverent and joyful liturgies, highlighted by exceptional liturgical music.

As a basilica, the parish takes seriously the instructions handed down in the document Domus Ecclesia, which reads, “A church for which the title of basilica is proposed must have been dedicated to God by a liturgical rite and must stand out as a center of active and pastoral liturgy, especially through celebrations of the Most Holy Eucharist, of penance, and of the other sacraments, which celebrations set an example for others on account of their preparation and realization according to liturgical norms and with the active participation of the people of God” (1).

The person in this position would be expected to have a robust knowledge of the Church’s musical heritage. He or she must exercise sound professional judgement in selecting and implementing music that supports the pastor’s vision, the rubrics of the Catholic Church, and other instructions found in the Church’s current liturgical documents. He or she would be expected to accompany the Sunday Mass schedule (TBA), as well as other liturgical celebrations as needed.

The Basilica is equipped with three premium instruments that are incorporated into our liturgies. In the rear gallery is a 3-manual, 33 stop, 31 rank Schoenstein Organ, 1981. The original organ was a small Kilgen organ installed in 1922. Schoenstein used 5 of the Kilgen stops and added 27 stops. In 1983 the Tromba di Basilica (trumpet en chamade) was added. The pipe facade is original to the Kilgen organ. The church also owns a 4 stop, 4 rank, one manual mechanical action positiv organ built by Hupalo and Repasky in 2023. We have a Yamaha, C-7 grand piano built in the early 1990's. In addition the church owns a Nord electronic keyboard which has been used primarily for outdoor masses.

Essential Job Functions:

Supervision/Personnel

  • Manages, supervises, and prepares all music ministers under his/her direct purview. 

  • Builds and supports a strong base of competent volunteers through effective recruiting and instruction, including volunteer singers, instrumentalists, and AV techs.

  • Cooperates with the Pastor, clergy, and staff with music needs of special celebrations, e.g. Feast Days, weddings, funerals, and Advent and Lent Reconciliation services.

Choir Management

  • Prepares and directs the Sunday choir for Sunday liturgies and occasional specialized celebrations.

  • Prepares and directs the Family Choir as needed.

  • Assists and accompanies the Chant Schola, under the supervision of the schola director.

  • Supervises, prepares, and accompanies volunteer cantors as liturgical music ministers for other Sunday Masses and occasional specialized liturgies.

Preparation and General Supervision

  • Works collaboratively with other music staff and volunteers to expand and maintain music, instruments and general sound system needs.

  • Prepares worship aids or song sheets and oversees printing in conjunction with office staff and volunteers.

  • Integrates and complements the activities of the parish community into all music related events and publications.

  • Ensures that all activity of the music programs support the teachings of the Catholic Church and the parish mission statement.

Spiritual and Professional Growth

  • Continues professional development and spiritual enrichment.

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Responds to messages on a timely basis.

  • Develops and/or reviews the annual budget for the music ministry department.

  • Timely submits bills and consistently reviews department expenses to ensure compliance with budget.

  • Maintains compliance with music copyright requirements, licensing obligations, and music usage reporting.

Parish Leadership

  • Integrates and complements the activities of the parish into the music programs.

  • Be a positive spokesperson for support of parish decisions, including expansion projects, new ministries, parish functions, facility updates, etc.

Non-Essential Job Functions:

  • Participates in Pastoral Staff Meetings and Staff Retreat days as necessary.

  • Attends ministry leader, other parish leader and diocesan meetings as necessary.

  • Attend parish functions when possible.

Requirements:

  • Must be proficient in piano and organ.

  • Strong knowledge of the Roman Catholic liturgy with an informed understanding of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and how they apply to the liturgy in particular and the Church’s mission as a whole.

  • Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (Masters of Music preferred) or the equivalent in education and experience.

  • Excellent interpersonal, communications, public speaking, and presentation skills. Must be able to work independently with little supervision.

  • Competency in computer skills and digital media.

  • Must have skills necessary to organize and implement large, program-wide events.

  • Must be able to have flexibility in work hours.

  • Excellent organizational skills required.

Compensation:

Currently, this position is a part-time, non-exempt, hourly role, up to 23 hours per week. However, this may be negotiated based on the applicant’s ability and availability. A temporary increase of hours is allowable during certain periods of the year. Compensation will be set according to the candidate’s experience and the Diocese of Oakland’s pay scale, which falls between $29.92 and $44.87/hour. Additional compensation is offered through services such as weddings and funerals, which fall outside of the choir director’s normal hours.

Applying:

Applicants can submit a resume with cover letter to Fr. Mario Rizzo, parochial administrator, at frmario@sjbalameda.org. The deadline to submit is September 11, 2026.