As war rages on the Western Front in 1916, the Choral Society in Ramsden, Yorkshire has lost most of its men to the army. The committee recruits local young males to swell their ranks and appoints Dr. Henry Guthrie as their new chorus master, a man who is driven and uncompromising.

 

Having recently returned from a career in Germany, the others suspect he is hiding something. However, the community discovers that the best response to the chaos of war is to make music together.