This is an annual MTAC, San Diego Branch event, usually held during the first weekend of February at University of San Diego's Shiley Theatre. The Concerto Competition is
open to any student whose teacher is a current member of the MTAC, San Diego Branch.

For the competition, students perform one complete movement of any published work for soloist and orchestra. The student provides his or her own accompanist, making sure
the accompanist is someone other than the student's teacher.

Divisions are created for the judging by age categories, with three divisions for piano, one division for winds, and two for strings.

The feature that creates such excitement for this event is that each of the first place winners from each division performs with an orchestra in the spring or early summer. This is a rare event for most young musicians and is an experience that will stay with them the rest of their lives.