1) Adopts a completely new approach, compared to the major textbooks – retaining the European tradition and a historically framed narrative, within a history of all the world’s music.
2) Better reflects the realities of musical life today in the United States
3) Teaches students the value of examining music from a perspective that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
4) Unique pedagogical structure that offers one guided listening example per Gateway, and asks students to ponder the same five questions per example: what is it, how does it work (musically), what does it mean (socially, culturally), what is its history, and where can I go from here (to learn more about this tradition)