Encouraged by his friend, André Cluytens, he completed his study at the Flemish conservatory in Antwerp.
He studied viola with Napoleon Distelmans; chamber music with Albert van de Vijver; and counterpoint and fuge with Karel Candael.
In 1930 he was a soloist with the well-known Dierentuin concerts in Antwerp, directed by Flor Alpaerts.
From 1942 to 1955 he lectured in harmony teachings at the Royal Flämi Conservatory in Antwerp.
Zwijsen and Steven Candael, Maes founded the Antwerpse Philharmonie (Antwerp Philharmonic Orchestra) in 1955, their first concert given on December 10, 1956.