Local Harpist Plays Role In Archbishop's Installation

(CBS)— The installation of Blase Cupich as Chicago's next archbishop promises to be a grand event, with performances by world-class musicians.

CBS 2's Jim Williams talks with one of them, harp player Lillian Lau.

Lau will be playing "How Lovely Are The Messengers" by Mendelssohn and several other compositions.

She got the call three weeks ago. Her response: "Excellent, great. I'm on it. I'll cancel everything to play this."

Raised in Hong Kong, Lau started playing the harp at nine years old and practiced every day after school.

She came the U.S. to study music at Indiana University. Today, she teaches, does solo concerts and performs with the Elgin and Quad City orchestras.

On Tuesday, she and others musicians, including organist David Jonis, will capture Chicago's diversity in song.

"There are songs in Polish. I don't speak Polish, but we'll be playing in Polish," Lau says.

She regularly plays her harp at Holy Name Cathedral, including the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass when it's standing room only. The installation of Cupich will be Lau's biggest event yet there.

"It's a dream to play here," she says.