Capturing Eternity
Ascende Schola is dedicated to reviving and promoting the tradition of sacred church music—particularly Gregorian chant and polyphonic harmonies —within the greater southeast Wisconsin area.
Founded in 2022, the group draws from both ancient and contemporary composers to preserve and elevate the beauty and reverence of the Catholic music tradition.
Our Specialties
With a repertoire spanning ancient and contemporary composers, Ascende brings the Church's rich musical heritage to parishes, weddings, and sacred celebrations throughout Milwaukee.
With a repertoire spanning chant and polyphonic pieces, we support the beauty and power of the holy sacrifice of the Mass in every season of the Church.
We work alongside you to plan a program that is fitting of your vision in keeping with the solemnity of the Mass.
For inquiries about other events please contact Ascende Schola for more information.
Tenor
Thomas grew up cantoring and singing in his parish choir in downtown Milwaukee. Throughout middle school and high school he found a love of music both in church as well as on the stage in musical theater. He received a liberal arts degree from Thomas Aquinas College in CA, and throughout his college years sung in multiple choirs and led a student choir on campus during his Senior year. After graduating, Thomas moved back home to Wisconsin and now lives in Waukesha with his wife and two kids.
Tenor
Michael grew up in Delafield, Wisconsin and sang in choirs throughout his childhood. He has always had a fondness for choral music and a respect for the beauty of the liturgy. After singing for Bel Canto Boys Chorus in Milwaukee, his local parish choir, and singing in an a cappella group in high school, he joined multiple choirs at Thomas Aquinas College in California where he went to school. In the move back to Milwaukee, he and Joe (brother) wanted to ensure that choir stayed a priority in their lives and helped to start Ascende. His passion in singing and music is to truly aid in the prayer of the listener and to bring them closer to Jesus’s heart.
Baritone
A lifelong musician with deep roots in sacred music, Matt grew up singing loudly to whatever recordings were playing in the house—from Joe Scruggs to J.S. Bach—and performing with youth and community orchestras throughout Wisconsin and Kansas. After studying Architecture at Benedictine College, Matt returned to the Milwaukee and joined St. Stanislaus Oratory's choir. When not making music, Matt enjoys watercolor painting, identifying native plants, cooking, and getting lost in a good book. The joy of singing has been a constant companion, shaping his faith, fostering community, and continuing to be one of the great gifts of his life.
Bass
With his brother Michael, Joe grew up in Delafield as one of five children. From a young age he taught himself to play multiple instruments, but it wasn't until attending Thomas Aquinas College that he developed a deep interest in choral sacred music. He found that the intrinsic beauty of this style of music cultivated a sense of wonder and reverence for the liturgy. He now resides in Wauwatosa with his wife and son.