• Providing recognition and assistance to the most accomplished young musicians, ages fifteen to twenty-three, offering debut performances as recitalists and concerto soloists and substantial cash prizes to assist with studies and career development.
• Inspiring large numbers of young musicians to perfect their skills for future IMK Competitions.
• Creating a musical event for the West Coast and the Bay Area of the highest musical value.
• Giving each performer a fully realized performing experience, uninterrupted, in a concert-like setting, evaluated by a well-balanced jury of distinguished musicians who see their mission in the most constructive context.
• Maintaining a friendly and congenial atmosphere in which the unique gifts of each performer are recognized, and in which there is an excellent opportunity for interaction between performers, judges, host families, and audience.

The Competition now draws entrants from about twenty nations annually, and the winners have proven themselves to be among the finest talents in the world. IMK Competition winners have distinguished themselves in their prize-award performances with symphony orchestras and in debut recitals in California and Mexico, and have gone on to win major prizes at the Tchaikowsky Competition in Moscow (making international headlines in 1990 and in 1994) , the Rostropovich Competition in Paris, the Naumburg Competition and Avery Fisher Award in New York,the Aspen Competition, and others. Several are currently on the roster of Columbia Artists, the leading artist management firm in the world. Many distinguished string pedagogues around the world annually prepare their students for entry.

The format for the event allows each entrant (no more than twelve, selected from among many taped applications) to perform a twenty-minute recital on the first day of the Competition. The judges select up to five finalists who play longer programs on the second day. The judges then select the top three to perform full concertos with orchestra on the final evening of the competition. The performances are open to the public and attract an enthusiastic and supportive audience.