Northern Blend Chorus came up a few points short as it competed in Florida last weekend to defend its 2010 international a cappella championship.

The Watertown-based group took first place in 2010 at the annual Harmony Inc. International Contest and Convention. The first-prize winners can’t compete two years in a row. Hopes were high among Northern Blend members that they would retain their championship at the annual convention, held this year in Orlando. They sang “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes” and “Who Can I Turn To?” in the finals.

Northern Blend came in second to the Milton, Ontario-based group A Cappella Showcase. The six judges recorded an eight-point difference between the two groups.

Northern Blend member Mary Ann Wert said Northern Blend is looking forward to going back to the international competition next year. But it faces tough competition for the first-place award. Returning, after winning in 2011, will be the Chicago-based Village Vocal Chords.

“They have won 18 consecutive times in years they have been able to compete,” Mrs. Wert said. “They are the winningest chorus in our organization. We’ve come close to them in the past; within 15 or 20 points.”

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