Does anyone have any advice for composing music in a Renaissance style? We're putting on a performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and we need to compose a few pieces for it. I think using the circle of fifths may make it sound "Renaissance-like"?

Rely on early instruments you know of, such as the viol family, maybe some guitar and the recorder. I know from my readings that the recorder was very much a soloist instrument during that time, only now has it be relegated to being a "starter" instrument to teach children the basics of music and pitch. Hope this helps