Surely the Test Piece set for whatever section should test all sections of a Band (inc. percussion, but that opens a can of worms in all directions -1st & 2nd triangles, finger cyms., whirly tubes etc.) If i got to a contest that I'm not playing in I listen to all the Bands in that section, if I'm playing I might listen to the Band-s who play after but not before, depending on the piece.s being played. Having played and contested for over Fifty years I think the standard of playing in the top halves of the lower sections has improved, the first section was conjured up to be a buffer section but the difference from top of that to middle of Championship is a huge jump. IMHO I think the Overall standard of the Championship section apart from 5 or 6 Bands as fallen to a degree,
probably due to star players and M.Ds pursuing their careers in music (which I can't blame them) but not having regular players on seats and "Deps will be here next week" doesn't help with tuning & balance problems. regarding Test pieces in Concert program's Championship Bands that used to come down and give Indoor Concert's twice a year always played at least One. Then the quality of the bands players slackened ( Good Bands but lots of Deps.) so the program quality dropped off for sight reading purposes which led to poor audience figures which led to cancelling the Concerts.
Nowadays a lot of Band personnel think that unless the Music content is fast and furious, lots of Octave jumps and Dynamics, then it's not a test for their Band. But top Orchestra's play The Mountain and the Flood, (4th section) Eine Kleine Nacht Music (youth section) etc. they probably don't enjoy it but they play it as it should be played, I had a L.P. of Black Dyke playing The Shipbuilders (4th section) and part of the New World Symphony. all good music but what should test the Bands is our well it's performed. I personally prefer listening to an easier test piece played very well than a harder piece murdered, but do enjoy attempting Difficult stuff,(in rehearsal). And that is where the problem lies.
I love the Albert hall but don't go every year, but "Breathe of Souls" sorted them out and you came out with Tunes you could hum or whistle all the way home unlike a few I could mention that have followed since, but I'll probably go again