Bob Bolton-

More thread drift BUT banjo orchestras were quite prevelant in the 1890's, as documented in a 1896 reprint of the S. S. Stewart Banjo Catalog. Of course the text may have represented wistful thinking on the part of Stewart's marketing team rather than actual reality, but they even had testimonials from banjo bands in Australia. Sigh. I best quote what I am reading:

HOSEA EASTON, of Melbourne, Australia, July 13th, 1886:

My banjos, eight in number, arrived here three weeks ago perfectly safe and sound, and I have thoroughly tested every one of them. I find to my satisfaction that there is nothing in the shape of banjos in Australia to approach them. You deserve the name, "King Banjo Maker," and as you stated in your letter, the two large banjos are the finest ever seen in the colonies...I have been playing one of the large ones with a full orchestra, and the banjo was heard above the orchestra outside the theatre doors.(!)

LOL,
Charley Noble