Meet One Call Away
Carry on to read our story, or…
The One Call Away story
Once upon a time in the musical heart of South Devon a visionary composer and choir director named Helen Yeomans founded a vibrant performance choir called Glorious Chorus. Over two decades, Glorious Chorus became renowned for its dynamic sound, bold harmonies, and uplifting spirit, thanks in no small part to the extraordinary community of singers Helen inspired and led.
Among those singers were Vern, Mike, and Gary, whose musical chemistry sparked a side project – a gigging trio that would be known by many names, but most memorably as GC3. Their passion for close harmony singing and live performance gave GC3 a life of its own, delighting audiences far and wide.
In 2023, Glorious Chorus gave its final performance as Helen stepped down from her role, closing an incredible chapter of community music-making. But as one door closed, another joyfully opened.
Former members of Glorious Chorus found new musical homes in local choirs such as Dartsong Chorus and Totnes Harmony, keeping the spirit alive. Meanwhile, GC3 began to nurture its own side project. What began as GC3 & Friends, and briefly became The Average Waist Band, soon blossomed into a fully-fledged twelve(ish)-voice ensemble with a new identity: One Call Away.
Today, One Call Away is a joyful continuation of that original creative spark – a group of friends and performers who simply love to sing together. Our roots are in community and collaboration, and our music reflects that: rich harmonies, heartfelt delivery, and a shared commitment to lifting each other, and our audiences, through song.
We may be One Call Away, but we bring a world of harmony with us.
Find out about Our Name
Meet the singers
Here are the thirteen members of our twelve-voice ensemble:
Ann – Alto
Funny fact?
Before rejoining choirs I was always the ‘la-la queen’ – was never able to remember words of a song as I was so focussed on melody
Biggest Oopsy?
Making the choir restart a song whilst doing a solo in a big concert as I started on the wrong note. Perhaps both my worst and best moment as I redeemed myself afterwards 😅
Best Song?
Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. Possibly one of the first songs I ever knew all the words to!
I once rocked the dance floor with bass guitarist John Deacon of Queen in a high end club, but despite being a big Queen fan I didn’t realise it until the next day when I watched Top of the Pops and saw they had all cut their long hair short!
Best gigs?
It’s never the ones where we perform everything perfectly, but the ones where we sing from the heart and are able to move people
Anna – Soprano
Favourite food?
85% dark chocolate; I have some for lunch and dinner, and as a hot chocolate drink for breakfast
Post gig tipple?
A cup of herbal tea 😁
Favourite holiday destination?
Maldives – where you’d never guess that I also saved my husband, pulling him out of the way of a very large fish with its jaws open about to bite him!
Gary – Bass – Co-founder of GC3
Most memorable gig?
Glorius Chorus’s collaboration with The Spooky Men’s Chorale in July 2019 at the Civic Hall in Totnes.
Favourite holiday destination?
The kitchen. It’s always warm, and I don’t go there nearly enough
Biggest musical fear?
Somebody suggesting, that we put “Rockin Robin” in the Christmas set list
Favourite musical genre?
I love all genres of music. I just like what I like.
Board game that best describes my life?
Probably Buckaroo…
Frankie – Alto
Helen – Alto – Founder and director of Glorious Chorus
Weird song you would like to try?
The Top Cat cartoon theme song
Autobiography title?
“Down & Out in Dartington”
Weirdest thing to believe as a child?
That Barry was short for Barold
Surprising skill?
Whistling like a builder
Favourite song?
Everything by Stevie Wonder!
Jo – Soprano
Personal earworm I wish I could banish?
Currently, it’s the line “No, she doesn’t know what she’s missin’.” from Teenage Dirtbag. Sleep is what I’m missin’ from singing this on repeat in my head as soon as it hits the pillow!!
Most memorable gig?
Singing at Buddhafield Festival in 2023 with Glorious Chorus and trying to maintain focus when a naked man walked by!
Signature ‘oops!’ moment during a performance?
Abandoning the performance of a song sung with two friends, after inadvertently giving the wrong starting notes and then wondering why it didn’t feel or sound right – twice!!
Something you’d never guess about me?
I swear like a trooper when playing Black Jack – “pick up 2”, “miss a turn”, “F***!!!”
Katrina – Soprano
Best Gig Memory?
A flashmob of our Try (Macey Gray) / Stay (Sam Smith) at Gloucester Services
Favourite band?
Fleetwood Mac
Weird song you would like to try?
We’ve already achieved it – Hyperballad by Bjork
Favourite Gig?
Performing at Glastonbury in 2010, although I try to forget the toilets!
Favourite food?
A chippy tea
Michelle – Tenor
Mike – Bass – Co-founder of GC3
Song you would like to try?
A Beach Boys compilation/mash up
Best gig?
Singing a surprise song in German to two thousand people at the Hamburg Concert Hall
Autobiography title?
“Never a Dull Moment”
Simon – Tenor
Signature dance move?
Dad dance meets Taser
Memory of best gig?
Last ever Glorius Chorus gig and that final, wonderful song (we’re still singing our hearts out!!)
Something you’d never guess about me?
I’m actually quite shy
Greatest fear?
That I miss a note and sound like I’ve done a one second, out of key solo. Oh, and having to sing Jerusalem again…
Which board game best describes your life?
Scrabble! Or Charades. Or Risk…
Sue – Alto
Greatest musical fear?
Being asked to resurrect Bjork’s Hyperballad. Simultaneously my most exhilarating and terrifying experience with Glorious Chorus. I’m glad I don’t have to count the 32 bars until my solo anymore!
Signature dance move?
The pogo. I have to limit that now or my knees complain
Which board game best describes your life?
Articulate! I’m so often lost for the correct word I spend my life describing things
Autobiography title?
“Caffeine Fuelled Disaster Merchant”
Vern – Tenor – Co-founder of GC3 – Holder of the pitch pipe
Signature dance move?
The white man overbite
Board game that best describes my life?
Snakes and ladders
Favorite holiday destination?
An Irish pub….in Ireland 🥃🥃
Autobiography title?
“Still Novark and Good”
Repertoire
We currently sing:
Caravan Of Love ♪ A Change Is Gonna Come ♪ Cornerstone ♪ Good News ♪ Is She Really Going Out With Him? ♪ Keep Singing Your Heart Out ♪ Let’s Dance! ♪ Lonesome Road ♪ Long Train Running ♪ Love Is The Power ♪ Lovely Day ♪ One Call Away ♪ Shackles ♪ Slow Train To Heaven ♪ Something Inside So Strong ♪ Take Me To The River ♪ Teenage Dirtbag ♪ Thank You For The Music ♪ Try ♪ Umbrella ♪ Viva La Vida ♪ Where Is The Love? ♪ Wild Mountain Thyme
And we’re adding more to the list all the time.