It will be the night before Christmas...

It will be the night before Christmas this afternoon at the Norris Community Theatre, where the Palos Verdes Symphonic Band is scheduled to stage its annual holiday concert.

The highlight, a musical presentation of “The Night Before Christmas,” will be narrated by voice-over actor Robert McCaman and conducted by Randall Schwalbe, son of the symphonic band’s regular conductor, Richard Schwalbe. Children will be invited onstage to gather around McCaman as he tells the popular holiday tale.

The 60-member symphonic band will play well-known Christmas standards, selected European Christmas music and a peppy arrangement called “Jingle Bells Forever.” The program also includes a special arrangement by saxophonist Ted Marcus of “He Shall Feed His Flock,” from Handel’s “Messiah.”

Julia Heard, a flutist and public relations director for the band, says the holiday concert serves not only to promote Christmas cheer, but also to boost children’s interest in symphonic music. Said Heard: “You’d be surprised how many mothers come up with young children after the concert and say, ‘Could you show us how the flute works?’ ”

The Palos Verdes Symphonic Band’s holiday concert will be staged at 2 p.m. today in the Norris Community Theatre, located on the corner of Crossfield Drive and Indian Peak Road in Rolling Hills Estates. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for senior citizens, children and high school students with identification. Information: (310) 544-0403.