August 25th (Friday) marks the 99th anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein. Join me this Thursday morning on WPRB as we hop aboard the Bernstein Centenary Bandwagon, kicking off an inevitable two-year celebration of his genius as composer, pianist and, of course, conductor.

Along the way, we’ll salute The American Boychoir, the Princeton-based organization that stunned everyone on August 15th by shutting down its school, effective immediately, after 79 years. The choir will perform Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms.” We’ll also hear Bernstein’s last major work, “Arias and Barcarolles,” in its original (and better) version for mezzo-soprano, baritone and piano four hands. The late Barbara Cook will sing selections from “Candide.” In addition, there will be a full roster of great orchestral recordings from all across the repertoire.

I hope you’ll join me in raising a stein to Leonard Bernstein – surveying 40 years worth of his recordings – this Thursday morning from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and wprb.com. We’ll get all liquored up for Lenny, on Classic Ross Amico.

PHOTO: “I never drink… beer.”