An American Family for Clarinet Trio is a set of three musical essays constructed with the number three in mind. Three movements with three letter subtitles, written for three instruments – 2 Bb clarinets and one bass clarinet, in triple meter, a 3 flat key signature (concert pitch), or the parallel major to the relative minor with a 3 flat key signature, and probably some sub-conscious references to "3" as well. It doesn’t matter whether those things come through the music to the listener. I just like that they are there. This is a challenging piece, influenced by and infused with jazz, but does not rely on improvisation. It’s an amalgam of the jazz and classical genres as a reflection of the influence of teachers both formal and informal and dedicated to them.

I suggest that the performers be set up in an equilateral triangle down-plan with the first clarinet on stage right, second clarinet on stage left and the bass clarinet in the center and upstage.