The renaissance brought a number of musicians to the light that would have previously been shunned. This was the result of music other than the religious genre being accepted into the community. Just as fortunate were the composers, which grew in number significantly at the time. The opportunity for composers to create their own types of music welcomed many into the profession.

Below is a list of a few composers who took up the mantle and made great music:

• Lodovico Agostini 
• Alexander Agricola
• Martin Agricola
• Baldassare Donato
• John Dowland
• Johannes Lupi
• Thomas Lupo
• Filippo de Lurano
• Luzzasco Luzzaschi
• Adriano Banchieri
• Jacobus Barbireau
• Giovanni de' Bardi
• Bartolomeo da Bologna

Instruments changed dramatically in the renaissance, swiftly adapting to the change in music. Below are a couple of instruments commonly used or made in the renaissance:

Reed Intruments

• Shawn
• Kortholt
• Dulcian
• Rauschpfeife
• Hirtenschalmei

Brass Intruemnts

• Straight Cornett
• Curved Cornett
• Zink
• Serpent
• Mute Cornett
• Sackbut (like the trombone)

•  Since then, many of these instruments have evolved into what we commonly use today. In the same way, the instruments we use today will become obsolete and send a class of future researchers into a laughing spasm. Who knows what new instruments will be created in another hundred years?